Remember the puzzles in Highlights Magazine? The ones where you peer closely at a busy drawing to determine what’s out of place? Sometimes being an architectural historian is much like those puzzles. There’s such a house near downtown Winchester, Kentucky, and I’ve never been able to learn anything about it. In a neighborhood of late-19th century houses, 20th century bungalows and American Foursquares, it stands out for its clean lines and otherness.
The facade of the house, so different from its neighbors.
The stone house is curious blend of modern and revival. The arched doorway on the facade screams “Tudor Revival” but the restrained facade and the lines of the roof all speak to the influence of modern architecture. The two-story, hipped roof section on the south side of the facade is perfectly balanced by the false parapet of the one-story section to its north, and both sides are complemented by the sharp angle of the small porch leading to the front door.
A photo from a 2015 real estate listing. https://www.redfin.com/KY/Winchester/120-S-Burns-Ave-40391/home/83492395
I photographed this house four years ago and posted it on this blog’s Facebook page, but never learned anything about its origins. I am pretty sure it was architect-designed, but I’d love to know by whom. What was the inspiration?
Another view of the two-story section.
The story of this house, so markedly different from its neighbors, is definitely an anomaly to be circled and highlighted.
I’m not that interested in the exterior stone facade. The addition of the round geode stones takes away from the lines formed from the flat stones. Geometry of the structure is interesting with arches, diagonals, and rectangle lines.
My wife’s family resided once west of Crab Orchard KY in Lincoln County. We have always found the mansion located on the US 150 street interesting. Wife Carol refers to the house as the “Cherry Mansion”. I would love for you to look at this structure and you might wish to investigate in the future.
Thank you for your comments (and they did all come through). Lincoln County has such a rich architectural history that I could spend months there!
My wife’s family resided once west of Crab Orchard KY in Lincoln County. We have always found the mansion located on the US 150 street interesting. Wife Carol refers to the house as the “Cherry Mansion”. I would love for you to look at this structure and you might wish to investigate in the future.
I made a comment regarding the Near Winchester flag stone house.
Your system would not allow the comments to be sent. Due to duplication.
Strange
Not possible. Tonight is the first time to view the flag stone home.
Good observations!
I have owned this house for the last six years. My wife and I moved from Lexington where we had spent most of our adult lives. I fell in love with the House – the exterior is complemented by the interior – rough stucco walls throughout, a total of seven arches viewed from the entryway including windows, two doorways, and a twelve foot barrel vaulted ceiling in the living room, and a fireplace made entirely of geodes. I love the geodes in the exterior, by the way, and have notice two other houses in Winchester with this same treatment, each one a different style of house. When I first moved to Winchester I googled “Winchester architecture” and found a chat room where this house was discussed (I have since lost this site). Supposedly the house was built in 1940 by a young man who was the owner of a well known Winchester business, The Confectionary”. I, too, would appreciate any information on the house