Talk:Doerhoefer–Hampton House

Doncram's notes and quotes
"Located in the western section of the city of Louisville, the Doerhoefer-Harapton House is the most architecturally prominent structure in the Russell neighborhood. The house is located in the center of the block of Chestnut Street between 24th and 26th Streets on the south side. At the time the house was built, there was little development west of 26th Street. The residence is a three-story brick Italianate structure, with a two-story rear section of same construction date. The cornice is neatly bracketed with consoles on the front and sides of the house. The third floor windows have incised limestone lintels and banding on the facade. (The side windows on all three floors have undecorated limestone lintels and no banding.) The second floor facade windows also have incised limestone lintels, but these contain more intricate detailing. A limestone band connects the three windows. The main floor windows have elaborately incised limestone lintels with medallions and foliage motifs. The entry has a wooden lintel and fluted pilasters which rest on engaged blocks of geometric design."

"The most striking feature of the Doerhoefer-Hampton House is the fanciful Italianate porch, probably added a short time after construction, in the 1890's (Photo 2 ). The porch has a bracketed cornice identical to that on the house, originally lined with consoles. Only a few remain in place. Beneath the cornice is a pressed metal garland of intricate design which bands the cornice. Arches spring from fluted columns with pressed metal Corinthian capitals. The spandrels of the arches are filled with medallions and foliage motifs, some of which match the lintel design on the house, and are made of pressed metal, painted to look like terra cotta. The ceiling of the porch, divided into five bays by the arches, is geometrically articulated with wooden cross beams. In the center of each ceiling bay is a metal light fixture, similar in design to the other metal features on the porch. This use of pressed metal, painted to resemble terra cotta is a unique feature (Photos 5$6). Although it is common to find pressed metal cornices throughout the city, the use of metal for detailing is rare. Terra cotta was commonly used in construction and manufactured in Louisville. The choice of painted, pressed metal rather than terra cotta, is curious. Whatever the reason, the metal has certainly survived the years in tact, where terra cotta would most likely have deteriorated."

"The porch columns have been altered in the 1920 ! s. The alteration was probably necessary due to deterioration of the base of the wooden columns. Rusticated concrete blocks have replaced the lower sections of the columns. The use of concrete block for this purpose was common and is evident on many porches in the area. An addition to the porch is a brick railing between the columns, probably added in the 1950's. There are two side porches to the house, each of cast iron (Photo 7 ). Very few cast iron porches remain in Louisville; most having been lost to the war effort. These are lovely examples of the typical cast iron porch once common in residential architecture. The beauty of the side porches is nearly overlooked, due..."

"The interior of the Doerhoefer-Hampton house has been vandalized and neglected. All fireplace mantels have been stolen, as well as the bannister posts, and newel of the main staircase. However, the floors and trim work are in remarkably good condition in spite of recent abuse. None of the trim has been painted and the floors have been covered until recently. The architect in charge of the restoration of the house intends to fully restore the house, including the architectural details that are missing."

"There are three outbuildings associated with the Doehoefer-Hampton house and on the same lot. A concrete block structure on the alley behind the house was probably built in the 1950's for a garage. A frame structure, also behind the house, is the original carriage house. The third is a gazebo-like structure of fanciful Victorian design, dating from the 1890's."

Basil Doerhoefer House (1902)38.25°N, -85.82667°W and Peter C. Doerhoefer House (1908)38.25°N, -85.82583°W are adjacent(?) houses in the Shawnee neighborhood of Louisville, how far away?



FloridaArmy (talk) 00:19, 9 November 2023 (UTC)