I rarely find anything to praise about the University of Kentucky’s agenda in relation to the preservation of historic buildings and landscapes. Over the decades, the institution’s ravaging maw has devoured countless neighborhoods and significant buildings. It is surprising then, that a lone historic dwelling still stands on Rose Street, between the Singletary Center and Guignol Theatre – a frame house marked by a sign out front that reads “Old Engineer’s Residence.”
Image (likely circa 1941) from the Louis Edward Nollau Nitrate Photographic Print Collection at the University of Kentucky.
The two-story hipped roof house was built prior to 1934, and when the historic photo was taken, roses climbed up lattice, and window boxes overfilled with flowers and vines. The house was a hymn to the influences of the Colonial Revival style sweeping Lexington at the time.
The dwelling at 421 Rose Street in November 2018.
The landscaping has changed a great deal in the ensuing years, but despite the application of vinyl siding and alterations to the original charming side porch – the house remains.
Rear elevation of dwelling.
Like so many other houses that once occupied the footprint of the University campus, or were located in the neighborhoods around campus, this house served as the residence of a University employee, namely the superintendent of buildings and grounds. Maury Crutcher was the first to hold the post and live in the house; he was followed by Elgan Brooks Farris.
Elgan Brooks Farris was the chief engineer of maintenance and operations at UK from 1941-1970. Image circa 1941, from the Louis Edward Nollau collection.
I imagine the dwelling was perfectly situated to oversee campus at the time. Compared to its current environment, in the decade before Farris took up the post, the house was well-located, but at the same time, somewhat isolated.
Section of the 1934 Sanborn Fire Insurance map with blue arrow marking location of house on Rose Street. Euclid Avenue is at far right.
Now it reminds me of Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House, tucked in between larger buildings and a campus that is virtually unrecognizable from that of the pre-World War II era.
The dwelling is dwarfed by its sprawling neighbors.
But against all the odds – it is still standing! And on a dreary November day, that is a welcome bright spot to this pedestrian as I trudge up Rose Street.
Western KY University also has a voracious appetite for historic residences in Bowling Green. There is a NRHP historic district on KY Street that has fewer contributors due to the expansion of campus housing. I suspect the demolition virus afflicts many American colleges.