A surprise demolition last Thursday in the Downtown Paris Historic District provides credence to some tired truths.* The circa 1875 W. B. Erringer House, demolished at the behest of its owner, the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, underscores America’s willingness to tear down and destroy. The reason circulated by many for the demolition is the need for additional parking for the church.
We’ve become a society that values space for our automobiles over housing. Surface parking lots apparently hold more worth than well-built, historic buildings – buildings containing lumber from trees felled over 150 years ago. This demolition underscores a preference, by many, for vast expanses of asphalt – never mind that surface parking lots offer little to enrich the quality of life for a community. More space for parking proves more important in the end than craftsmanship, utility, and housing.
Façade of the W.B. Erringer House, Paris, Kentucky. Photograph by Janie-Rice Brother, 2015.
There’s not a pretty way to phrase my sentiments about this senseless destruction of a building that was occupied and in excellent condition.
The one good thing, if anything positive can be attributed to such a throw-away consumer culture, is that Paris, Kentucky, has a long history of supporting preservation (even if certain institutions operating within Paris do not).
The Erringer house, as shown on the 1877 D.G. Beers & Company map of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, and Woodford Counties.
The shocking and swift annihilation of the Erringer House has prompted local resident Chris Poynter, whose family has saved and restored several important historic buildings in Paris, to champion for changes in how historic buildings are treated in the NRHP-listed historic downtown district.**
Detail of the entry porch and front door. Photograph by Melissa Jurgensen, August 2025.
Poynter is circulating a petition to better protect the remarkable architectural landscape of Paris with the following two action items:
- Expand the (geographical boundaries) of existing Board of Architectural Review to include the Downtown Paris National Register Historic District. The board currently only covers the historic courthouse and the square around it.
- Require a 45-day public notice for any proposed demolition within the historic district before a permit is issued.
The north gable end of the house, facing south (toward W. 11th Street). The dwelling had a substantial two-story brick ell, and frame additions as well. Photograph by Melissa Jurgensen, August 2025.
As Poynter stated, “these two approaches do not impede the rights of property owners or prohibit demolition. They simply ensure the community is aware of impending demolitions and has time to explore alternatives. Similar approaches have been used successfully in communities across the nation for decades. Not all buildings can or should be saved, but the community deserves a voice for structures it collectively deems worthy of preservation.”
The Erringer house as shown on the 1907 Sanborn Fire Insurance map.
Not only would a small delay result in a conversation about impending demolitions – or not – it would allow time for threatened historic buildings to be documented and for the salvage of irreplaceable architectural features and building materials. Why should all of those bricks and lumber go to the landfill?
Demolition in progress. Photograph by Ron Carter.
Paris has so much to offer – as do many historic Kentucky communities – but our collective lack of a preservation ethic destroys character and identity and is just plain wasteful.
Detail of the front porch of the Erringer House, with its chamfered wood posts and brackets, as well as the hoodmolds over the windows on the second story. Photograph by Melissa Jurgensen, August 2025.
Poynter’s petition ends with the following words: “We look forward to working with city and county leaders to create a framework that balances the needs of historic preservation with future growth.”
Now – who will listen? And will positive change transpire? I certainly hope so – I’m not a parking lot tourist. Towns with lots of surface parking lots don’t get my attention or my dollars.
Interior view of the first story central passage and staircase. Photograph by Mike Radeke, Kentucky Heritage Council files.
As ever, all I can do is hope. But I would like to share a little backstory on the first occupant of this departed dwelling. On November 25, 1874, The Kentuckian Citizen in Paris reported that “the new residence of W.B. Erringer is rapidly approaching completion.”
William B. Erringer, who was 32 years old, his wife, Ellen, and their two young sons – James and Charles – would move into the brick T-plan house the next spring. Indeed, in January 1875, Erringer advertised for a “good cook, ironer and washer.” At the time, Erringer was the Kentucky Central Railroad freight agent in Paris, having been appointed to that position in 1867. Prior to his promotion, Erringer was a telegraph agent for the railroad, and in business with J.S. Smedley, of the Paris Hat Store.
Detail of one of the mantels in the house. Photograph by Mike Radeke, Kentucky Heritage Council files.
Ill health prompted Erringer to resign his position with the railroad in 1881, and in 1885, his family decided to move to Chicago. Rather than selling, Erringer listed his house for rent. The brick residence (available either furnished or unfurnished) was described as containing eight rooms, a pantry, good cellars, two cisterns, a large stable, and a fine garden.
An 1885 advertisement for the sale of the Erringer’s household goods.
Apparently Mrs. Kitty Cogar, who decided to rent the house in August 1885, preferred the space unfurnished, as Erringer held a sale to dispose of his furniture in equipment.
View of the second story hallway. Photograph by Mike Radeke, Kentucky Heritage Council files.
The Erringer family is just the first chapter in the story of this brick house. Its last chapter was brutal, and in my opinion, unjustified.
Paris is a model for many similar size towns in Kentucky. Its rich architectural landscape and local tourism efforts boost the local economy, and are to be admired and commended. But Paris can do better. Fortunately, it has folks who care about historic buildings and how they enrich our lives, and allowing the community to share their vested interest in the future of their town makes perfect sense to me.
*The house was demolished on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
**National Register of Historic Places
Such a loss. We never learn do we.
I lived here 10 years ago when I first moved to Paris. It was definitely part of my own history and I’m heartbroken at its loss.
I’m recalling Joni Mitchell’s 1970 song, ‘Big Yellow Taxi’
Kentucky doesn’t seem to realize what they have. I live near Louisville and it’s a constant battle of developers wanting to destroy historical sites or replace horse farms with concrete and shopping centers. I’m a retired executive and understand fully the need to make profits. But there is a smarter way to do it than what I see. In the ’80’s I fought GE moving production of products off shore. I lost that battle. Now we’re scrambling to move it all back. Kentucky could be one of the premier vacation sites if we only preserved its beaufy.
Another beautiful home demolished! The Catholic church building in Paris is an historic structure and I wonder if any of the church members had a voice in this decision, or tried to prevent the demolition.
I lived in this house on the first floor with my grandmother and stayed with her many nights . Rebecca Johnson lived there late 50’s until 90’s . So incredibly sad that nothing was kept from this beautiful home ..
Me too!