List of the oldest buildings in Kentucky explained

This article lists the oldest extant buildings in Kentucky, including extant buildings and structures constructed prior to and during the United States rule over Kentucky. Only buildings built prior to 1840 are suitable for inclusion on this list, or the building must be the oldest of its type.

In order to qualify for the list, a structure must:

This consciously excludes ruins of limited height, roads and statues. Bridges may be included if they otherwise fulfill the above criteria. Dates for many of the oldest structures have been arrived at by radiocarbon dating or dendrochronology and should be considered approximate. If the exact year of initial construction is estimated, it will be shown as a range of dates.

List of oldest buildings

BuildingImageLocationFirst builtUseNotes
Old Talbott Tavern1779Hotel"Oldest western stagecoach stop still in operation."
Adam Rankin HouseLexington, Kentucky1784ResidenceOldest house in Lexington, although moved from its original foundation.[1] Oldest part was built as a log house and then later covered with clapboards. It was the home to a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Adam Rankin.
John Andrew Miller HouseScott County, Kentucky1785ResidenceStone home of pioneer John Andrew Miller. Served as a community shelter from Native American attacks
Israel Grant CabinScott County, Kentuckyca. 1787ResidenceEarly log cabin[2]
William Whitley House State Historic SiteCrab Orchard, Kentucky1787–1794ResidenceOldest brick house in Kentucky
MillspringGeorgetown, Kentucky1789ResidenceBack ell is the oldest part of the house, constructed by Rev. Elijah Craig
Jacob Eversole CabinPerry County, Kentuckyca. 1789–1804ResidenceOldest house in eastern Kentucky
Zachary Taylor HouseLouisville, Kentucky1790ResidenceChildhood home of President Zachary Taylor
Cane Ridge Meeting HouseCane Ridge, Kentucky1791ChurchLikely oldest church building in Kentucky
Historic Locust GroveLouisville, Kentucky1792ResidenceVisited by explorers Lewis and Clark and President Zachary Taylor
Old Providence ChurchWinchester, Kentucky1793ChurchOldest stone church in Kentucky
Abraham Barton HouseLexington, Kentucky1795ResidenceConstructed for Kentucky politician Peyton Short, later owned by Confederate soldier Henry Brainerd McClellan
Daniel Boone CabinCarlisle, Kentucky1795ResidenceLast Kentucky cabin of Daniel Boone
Richard Masterson HouseCarrollton, Kentuckyca. 1795ResidenceEarly Methodist services were held in house as well. Oldest two story brick building in state.[3]
White HallRichmond, Kentucky1799ResidenceHome of Green Clay and Cassius Marcellus Clay
Bates Log HouseLexington, Kentuckyca. 1800ResidenceAdded to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982
Oldest HouseBell County, Kentucky1800ResidenceOldest house in Bell County.[4]
Henry Clay's Law OfficeLexington, Kentucky1803OfficeBuilding where Henry Clay ran his law services
Waggoner/Langdon/Colyer HousePulaski County, Kentucky1805ResidencePulaski 1805 log house is one of oldest extant log houses in Pulaski County[5]
AshlandLexington, Kentucky1811ResidenceHome of Kentucky politician Henry Clay
Cane Springs Primitive Baptist ChurchCollege Hill, Kentuckyca. 1812–13ChurchBuilt during the Great Awakening, oldest church building in Madison County
J. B. Knight HouseHopkinsville, Kentuckyca. 1815–1820ResidenceThe Knight House is the oldest standing structure and residence in Hopkinsville and Christian County Kentucky.
Squire Earick HouseLouisville, Kentucky1815ResidenceOldest woodframe house in Louisville[6]
Carneal HouseCovington, Kentucky1815ResidenceOldest building in Covington
Elijah Herndon HouseCalifornia, Kentucky1818ResidenceHome of Elijah Herndon, a Kentucky slaveowner
Cleveland-Rogers HouseLexington, Kentucky1819ResidencePlaced on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980
Chenault HouseRichmond, Kentucky1830ResidenceEstate built by William Chenault in 1830, known for derby parties in the 20th century[7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Soper. Kim. 2021-08-13. Check out the Adam Rankin House, The Oldest House in Lexington And Where the Famous Burrows Mustard Was Born. 2023-01-19. ExploreLexingtonKY.com. blog. United Real Estate.
  2. Web site: Historic log cabin is discovered during deconstruction of Scott County home. 2023-01-19. Spectrum News 1. 24 April 2022.
  3. The Masterson House in Carrollton, Kentucky, is one of the oldest (some say the oldest) surviving two-story brick buildings along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cairo, Illinois, where the Ohio meets the mighty Mississippi River. 2023-01-19. Library of Congress. 2020-07-11. Highsmith . Carol M. . image.
  4. Web site: Oldest House. 2023-01-19. ((Friends of Boone Trace, Inc.)). Kentucky Historical Society . ExploreKYHistory. en.
  5. Web site: 1805 Pulaski County log house Dendroarchaeology. 2023-10-03.
  6. Robinson, Kurt. "Louisville to Portland Turnpike". ExploreKYHistory. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
  7. Web site: Chenault House . npgallery.nps.gov . National Park Service . June 28, 2024.