Historic preservation is too often a reactive process – and I hate writing about demolished buildings. The best thing for historic houses? To be a home, to be occupied, to be a place of life and energy. For that to happen, houses that may need a little love and affection must be purchased by someone who loves old houses. On the suggestion of fellow writer and preservationist William White in Mississippi, I’ve taken a gander at listings for historic houses for under $100,000 on Zillow, and am sharing a few below.
Much to my disappointment, I have neither the time nor the funds to traverse the state to find these houses myself, so all of my photographs are culled from Zillow or Google streetview. I don’t know anything about these houses personally, nor am I selling them! The link to each listing is in the heading, and is also included after the description.
Historic Shotgun House, 2626 Garland Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky – $38,000.00
2626 Garland Avenue, Louisville, KY $38,000
Tiny houses are appealing to many people these days, and this frame shotgun house has a façade just begging to be restored! The late 19th century house retains its impressive window surround, wooden shingles in the gable, and what looks like its original entry door. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2626-Garland-Ave-Louisville-KY-40211/73664542_zpid/
223 Harahan Boulevard, Paducah, Kentucky – $69,900.00
223 Harahan Boulevard, Paducah, Kentucky – $69,900
This brick T-plan cottage is just my cup of tea – and since it is listed in the Jefferson Street-Fountain Avenue Historic District, it is eligible for historic tax credits! The brick house has a wrap-around porch and tons of intact features on the interior (fireplaces, hardwood floors, woodwork). At 2,222 square feet, the listing states the potential for five bedrooms – and it looks move-in ready to me. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/223-Harahan-Blvd-Paducah-KY-42001/226389200_zpid/
274 High Street, Versailles, Kentucky – $45,000.00
274 High Street, Versailles, Kentucky – $45,000.00
274 High Street, Versailles, Kentucky
214 East Broadway Street, Madisonville, Kentucky – $45,000.00
214 East Broadway, Madisonville, KY – $45,000.00
This interesting one-story brick cottage has a corner entry with a transom. I’ve actually walked on the adjacent street, but I didn’t see this charming little house. It may have been built as a duplex, and bears evidence of having been a multi-family unit recently. The house has segmentally arched window openings, and is in a nice neighborhood in downtown Madisonville. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/214-E-Broadway-St-Madisonville-KY-42431/110365535_zpid/
204 Bracken Street, Augusta, Kentucky – $79,000.00
204 Bracken Street, Augusta, Kentucky - $79,000.00
This two-story brick house was originally known as the West Dormitory of Augusta College and was built between 1822 and 1830. The façade is laid in Flemish bond, and originally one side was double-pile (two rooms deep) and the other end of the house was only single pile – suggesting two periods of construction. This house is listed in the National Register of Historic District, and is eligible for historic tax credits. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/204-Bracken-St-Augusta-KY-41002/236262122_zpid/?
Bungalow Nation, 210 West Court Street, Greensburg, Kentucky – $78,000.00
210 West Court Street, Greensburg, Kentucky – $78,000.00
Oh, be still my beating heart. A Craftsman style brick bungalow, with its original windows and an expansive, welcoming porch! This roomy (2,900 square feet!) bungalow has what looks like a wonderful interior, with French doors, hardwood floors, and two bathrooms. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/210-W-Court-St-Greensburg-KY-42743/236281737_zpid/
Northern Kentucky Townhouse, 303 E. 11th Street, Covington, Kentucky – $65,000
333 E. 11th Street, Covington, Kentucky – $65,000.00
One of the historic house types common in the urban areas of Northern Kentucky is the Northern Kentucky Townhouse (NKYTH), which has the narrow end facing the street, and typically the main entry is on the side, not the street façade. Different than shotgun houses in both plan and scale (the NKYTH is usually 2 to 3 stories in height), these houses fit the long, narrow lots of urban environments. This 2.5 story brick example does have replacement windows, but retains lovely incised lintels and a heavily ornamented cornice. And at almost 3,000 square feet, there’s room to be creative with the interior. This house is listed in the Helentown Historic District, which makes it eligible for historic tax credits. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/303-E-11th-St-Covington-KY-41011/1433363_zpid/?
10 West Church Street, Stanton, Powell County, Kentucky – $43,000.00
10 W. Church Street, Stanton, KY – $43,000.00
Stanton, right off of the Mountain Parkway, is close to the Red River Gorge and not a long drive from Lexington. This one-story frame T-plan house doesn’t look like it has been remuddled – and even has some bargeboard in the gable. I think this listing is for the lot – but this could be a great fixer-upper! Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10-W-Church-St-Stanton-KY-40380/236612983_zpid/?
243 W. Third Street, Maysville, Kentucky – $69,900.00
243 W. Third St, Maysville, KY – $69,900.00
Maysville is a wonderfully historic river town, and full of urban building types like rowhouses. The brick house at 243 W. Third Street could use some TLC, especially on the interior, but these houses tend to be built well. Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/243-W-3rd-St-Maysville-KY-41056/105896558_zpid/
If you know of a historic house in your town on the market and that could use some attention, please let me know!
