Broadway Street House, Catlettsburg, Kentucky

Writing has – ever since I mastered the alphabet and the art of reading – been a solace for me. I can’t always write about what troubles my soul, however, and today finds me with my emotions in a maelstrom. The logical step, other than liberal applications of tea, chocolate, tears, and a good walk, is a distraction in the form of a compelling historic building. Therefore, I present my mystery house from Catlettsburg, Kentucky.

Façade of my vehicle of distraction.

This two-story, narrow brick house has a ravishing central bay – doors featuring pilastered surrounds and leaded transoms and (unleaded) sidelights on the first and second stories. These doors are framed by a lacy iron two-story portico that wouldn’t be out of place in Mobile or New Orleans. The hoodmolds over the windows are also stunning.

One must overlook some modern changes  – vinyl siding rarely complements anyone –  and the central cross gable above the two-story portico looks like it was placed there by a giant child playing blocks. (The hipped roof doesn’t need that gable, in my opinion.) The replacement windows are not my favorite (a 2/2 double-hung sash would have been there originally, I bet), for they look incongruous under the bracketed hood molds and what appears to be a dressed stone belt course between the first and second story.

I’m not sure what has happened to the brick (running bond)- the first story and second story façade look considerably different –  both the face of the bricks and the mortar.

Façade and side elevation.

The raised stone foundation has been covered with something – and no chimneys appear to rise from the roof (they have been taken down, I suppose). The Sanborn Fire Insurance maps are no help, as this house was way outside of the city limits in the late 19th century.

I would love to know the story of this interesting historic house  – its design and some of its features pulled me from my sad musings, and for that I am grateful.