A Venetian Gothic Gem in Louisville, Kentucky

It’s a busy Monday, and amid the bustle of work and life, I don’t know when I will be able to write a blog post. But I have determined to steal 15 minutes and share this lovely historic house, in hopes that it brings some joy to your day. Built in 1901 for an insurance agent by the name of Hindman Discoe (a moniker like that simply begs to be in a novel), this three story brick house stands out among many grand neighbors for its fanciful and flamboyant porch. And such a porch! A colonnade with ogee arches dances across the facade, supported by paired columns. It is enough to make my head spin.

Façade of the Hindman Discoe House, November 2015.

The dark paint on the cornice somewhat obscures the delicate details of the acanthus leaves, which are more clearly visible in the 1974 photograph. The third story windows with flared scrollwork surrounds are notable too, but the porch steals the show.

The house is located in the St. James–Belgravia Historic District, within the Old Louisville Neighborhood in the city of that name.  The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It comprises St. James Court (north) and Belgravia Court (south). It is bordered to the north by Louisville’s Central Park. The area was the site of the Southern Exposition and now hosts the popular St. James Court Art Show (held annually the first weekend of October). Belgravia Court takes its name from Belgravia, an affluent district in London, England. Belgravia Court has no immediate street access for vehicles and is a “walking court” with a common green area and parallel sidewalks.

Circa 1974 photograph of the house by Denise E. McNulty, on file with the Kentucky Heritage Council.

I don’t know the architect who designed this stunning house, but a scaled-down version is located in the Butchertown Historic District.

A mini-me that is just as captivating in the Butchertown Historic District.

While the form may be smaller (and perhaps more comfortable?), the delightfulness is just as potent as its St. James cousin.

My 15 minutes are up and I must return to pressing and less enjoyable tasks…