Madison County Architecture
Dublin Core
Title
Madison County Architecture
Description
In our column over the years, we have used architectural terms to describe the various historical homes in Madison County. I have no knowledge of architecture and merely pass on to you the information available. In 1988, Lavinia H. Kubiak authored a book titled “Madison County Rediscovered: Selected Historical Architecture.” The following information is gleaned from her book.
These are the architectural styles she found in Madison County;
Georgian – Characterized by doorways with columns surmounts with a pediment with semicircular fanlight over the door. The homes Woodstock (now demolished) and Green Clay’s Clermont are examples of this style.
Federal – Characterized by elaborate large doorways, topped by fanlights and flanked by sidelights. The John Campbell House is an example of this style.
Greek Revival -- Popular in the 1840s to 1860s and characterized by two stories with a five bay façade, transomed doorways under a portico. The William Holloway House and the county courthouse as well as Greenbriar and Homelands are examples of this style associated with the pre-Civil War South.
Gothic Revival – Characterized by a central passage plan, with cross gables. Griggs, Gibbs and Taylor, the Mount Pleasant Christian Church and the First Presbyterian Church are examples of this style.
Italianate – This, the most common style still found in Richmond and Madison County, is characterized by squared shapes, flat roofs, tall arched windows, squared pillared porches and ornamental ironwork. The Blair Park house and the Gov. McCreary house are examples of this style.
Romanesque Revival -- The best example of this style is the Old Federal Building on Main Street, now the District Court Building.
Queen Anne Style – Characterized by small round turrets and stone materials, often with detailed interior woodwork, the Turley House is an example of this style.
Shingles – the Wilkes Smith House on West Main is an example of this style.
Chateauesque – Reminiscent of the French chateaus of the 14th through 16th centuries. Elmwood (the Watts house) on Lancaster Avenue is our definitive local example of this style.
Classical Revival – Neo Palladian interpretations. Arlington, the old First Baptist Church on Main Street (now demolished) and the Coates Building on EKUs campus are local examples of this eclectic style.
Colonial Revival – The Keen Johnson Building at EKU and Draper Memorial on Berea College’s campus are examples of this style.
Four Square Box – the Kennedy House on West Main is an outstanding example of this style.
Bungalow – One and a half stories, high pitched gable roofs are characteristic of this 20th Century style. The Mellinger House is an example of this style.
I hope this short course in architecture has been interesting and not too confusing. Happy house-style hunting.
These are the architectural styles she found in Madison County;
Georgian – Characterized by doorways with columns surmounts with a pediment with semicircular fanlight over the door. The homes Woodstock (now demolished) and Green Clay’s Clermont are examples of this style.
Federal – Characterized by elaborate large doorways, topped by fanlights and flanked by sidelights. The John Campbell House is an example of this style.
Greek Revival -- Popular in the 1840s to 1860s and characterized by two stories with a five bay façade, transomed doorways under a portico. The William Holloway House and the county courthouse as well as Greenbriar and Homelands are examples of this style associated with the pre-Civil War South.
Gothic Revival – Characterized by a central passage plan, with cross gables. Griggs, Gibbs and Taylor, the Mount Pleasant Christian Church and the First Presbyterian Church are examples of this style.
Italianate – This, the most common style still found in Richmond and Madison County, is characterized by squared shapes, flat roofs, tall arched windows, squared pillared porches and ornamental ironwork. The Blair Park house and the Gov. McCreary house are examples of this style.
Romanesque Revival -- The best example of this style is the Old Federal Building on Main Street, now the District Court Building.
Queen Anne Style – Characterized by small round turrets and stone materials, often with detailed interior woodwork, the Turley House is an example of this style.
Shingles – the Wilkes Smith House on West Main is an example of this style.
Chateauesque – Reminiscent of the French chateaus of the 14th through 16th centuries. Elmwood (the Watts house) on Lancaster Avenue is our definitive local example of this style.
Classical Revival – Neo Palladian interpretations. Arlington, the old First Baptist Church on Main Street (now demolished) and the Coates Building on EKUs campus are local examples of this eclectic style.
Colonial Revival – The Keen Johnson Building at EKU and Draper Memorial on Berea College’s campus are examples of this style.
Four Square Box – the Kennedy House on West Main is an outstanding example of this style.
Bungalow – One and a half stories, high pitched gable roofs are characteristic of this 20th Century style. The Mellinger House is an example of this style.
I hope this short course in architecture has been interesting and not too confusing. Happy house-style hunting.
Creator
Dr. Fred Engle
Date
2/23/2010
Rights
Content may be freely copied for personal and educational purposes with appropriate citation. Permission is required to reprint.
Collection
Citation
Dr. Fred Engle, “Madison County Architecture,” Madison's Heritage Online, accessed September 9, 2024, https://madisonsheritage.eku.edu/items/show/1837.