Mysteries are the heart of loving and documenting historic buildings. Whenever I visit a place, camera in hand, I inevitably take my leave with more questions than answers. Paintsville, Kentucky, named the county seat of Johnson County in 1834, developed quickly in the early 20th century as the region’s coal mining operations boomed – and the town’s historic neighborhoods reflect the popularity of Revival and Craftsman styles at this time of unprecedented growth and wealth. The Judge Jim Turner House, even in its current dejected state, is one example of the combination of wealth and building in Paintsville prior to 1930.
The Judge Jim Turner House, built in 1913-15.
James “Jim” Turner was a Harvard trained lawyer who lived in Paintsville – right across the street from mining magnate John C.C. Mayo. The latter hired a West Virginia architect in 1905 to design a colossal residence for his family – three stories of brick and stone, with 40 rooms. The house wasn’t finished until 1912, and cost around $250,000 to build.
The Mayo Mansion in Paintsville, Kentucky.
I’m not sure where Judge Turner was living during this time, but he must have liked what he saw being built – for in 1913, he hired Mayo’s architect, John R. Gieske of Huntington, West Virginia, to design and build his house. The two-story, 35 x 50 foot dwelling for Turner must have been a much-less demanding project for Gieske (and perhaps more enjoyable because of its scale) after the sprawling Mayo house.
Side and rear elevations of the Turner House.
Not that the smaller dwelling is lacking in style or form. No, even with its boarded up windows, and general dispirited air, the brick Craftsman style dwelling is eye-catching. A green tile roof, numerous brackets, shady, low-slung porches on the facade and rear elevations – it is a gem of a building.
Notice pinned on the front door of the Turner House.
It even has a bit of a Swiss chalet feel to it, and the large hipped roof front porch disguises the true size of the dwelling.
The front porch of the Turner House.
In its way, the Turner House is every bit as opulent as the Mayo Mansion.
Detail of the front dormer on the Turner House.
Turner, one of the largest shareholders of the First National Bank of Paintsville, was a prominent local citizen. As an attorney and judge, he played a large role in local life, and he also served in the Kentucky legislature.
Detail of the porch of the Turner House.
As I poured over my photographs, I wondered about Gieske, the architect who designed three (in addition to the main house, he also built an office for John C. C. Mayo) stunning buildings across the street from one another. Born in 1862 in Cincinnati, Ohio, he apparently grew up around construction projects, as his father was a building contractor.*
Backyard and partially collapsed garage of the Turner House.
Paintsville, even flush with mining wealth, was still an isolated town in the early 20th century – the Mayo family decamped to Ashland, Kentucky in 1917 (John C.C. Mayo died in 1914, only enjoying his magnificent house for a short time). Gieske practiced in downtown Huntington, and even submitted a plan in 1912 to design the Australian Federal capital building – one of only 22 American architects to enter the international competition.
This is, I believe, where Gieske had his offices in Huntington, West Virginia.
There could be other homes designed by Gieske in Paintsville, but I didn’t uncover any. And the Judge Turner House languishes, with an overgrown yard and missing panes of glass – but even neglect can’t cloud its delightful sense of style and detail.
Detail of the rear dormer on the Turner House.
I made a few calls to try and ascertain the details of the house’s current condition, but all I succeeded in learning is that it is now currency owned by a bank (ironically fitting, given Judge Turner’s close connections to the financial industry).
Since the house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, any (qualifying) restoration work will be eligible for historic tax credits. I hope by the next time I get to wander to Paintsville, this dwelling will have begun a positive chapter, with a new family bringing Gieske’s design back to life.
*Unpublished manuscript, West Virginia Architects, by Rodney Collins (1995). Copy on file at the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.
** Thanks to Jeff Smith of the West Virginia SHPO for his help in tracking down details about Gieske!
Janie-Rice, what a great Craftsman house. It needs a little attention. Your love of research and putting all the details together comes through with your blog. Hopefully someone will contact you and say, would you like to see the inside of the Judge’s house? Thanks for sharing this interesting piece of architectural history.
I know that an attorney by the name of Wally (Wolodymyr) Cybriwsky once owned this house. I had heard that when he moved, he gave it to his brother? The man who people have said is his brother, is a homeless man who roams the streets of Paintsville and picks up garbage and throws it away. Not sure if the part about the brother is true, but that is what I have always heard.
Apparently the house is tied up in a bankruptcy case and IRS problems. I hope that can be resolved and the house saved.
Interesting
What a shame! They don’t build them like that anymore. not with that attention to detail. I share your hope that someone will love and restore it.
I grew up in Paintsville. We were just there for a funeral this week. I have always admired this house. I hope someone will be moved by your article and remodel this treasure.
Me too! It’s an incredible house.
I loved this article! I had grown up in Paintsville KY and always loved that house, I was just in town last week, visiting family. Now knowing the history behind it makes my love it even more! Hopefully they restore the house so other generations can appreciate it.
Glad you enjoyed it – thanks for reading!
I was in that house with then owners. Along with working for school currently in Mayo Mansion. It’s a shame to see it let go like this.
I spent many evenings playing bridge in the kitcen of this house with Sally Turner, Lorraine Wiley , and Roger Lyons, also with Jan Garland and Martha Wells. I was also a friend of Sally and Jim Turner’s daughter, whose wedding reception was held here, The dining room has a beautiful friese painting on one wall that I think was done by an Italian artist hired by Judge Turner. It saddens me that it is in the condition that it is in.
Oh, I wish I could have seen the interior when the Turner family still lived there! Thank you for sharing your memories.
My father served Mayo Memorial Methodist church from 62 to 66 and I remember playing in that house a a boy. I don’t remember any names but the family that lived there had 4 boys around my age.