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Own a Slice of American History in Kentucky
From the original indigenous people who inhabited the Bluegrass State to the Civil War to contemporary history, owning real estate in Kentucky has long been a history buff’s dream. However, the Historic Locust Grove Mansion, one of the most historically significant buildings, would likely be one of the most sought-after properties if it were for sale today. That’s thanks partly to the fact that it was built in the 18th century and partly due to the number of famous guests who’ve dropped by since then.
Historic Locust Grove
The Historic Locust Grove is a 55-acre time capsule located just a short 13-minute drive from the center of Louisville, and it sits right next to some of Louisville’s most lavish properties — like this 4 bed, 8 bath 7000-sq.-ft. mansion listed for $2.2 million. With that said, the large Gregorian mansion at Historic Locust Grove, which remains the property’s main feature, was built in 1790 and surprisingly still fits into the neighborhood.
The property’s real claim to fame, however, is the guests it has hosted over the years. It was first built by William Croghan and Lucy Clark Croghan — the sister of Louisville founder and Revolutionary War hero, George Rogers Clark. As if that weren't enough, the property has been the site of an inconclusive duel between famed Kentucky statesmen Cassius Marcellus Clay, the famous abolitionist, and Robert Wickliffe, who’d later serve as the governor of Louisiana.
Then there are the U.S. presidents who’ve dropped in for a visit. According to the Historic Locust Grove website, Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, has visited the property, and Zachary Taylor, the nation's 12th president, grew up adjacent to the property.
Lastly, perhaps the most famous guests to stay at the residence were none other than Meriwether Lewis and William Clark of the famed “Lewis & Clark Expedition”. Of course, they were famously tasked with exploring the Louisiana Purchase, which included 828,000 square miles of land, and it could be argued that this was the most significant real estate purchase in the history of the United States.
According to historians, the Historic Locust Grove is the only place still standing west of the Appalachians to have welcomed Lewis and Clark.
Historic Properties and Preservation
By owning a historic home, you not only own a slice of history but also enjoy a slew of additional benefits. To begin, the home is unique in that builders aren’t likely to recreate that particular style of architecture when constructing new builds. Next, historic homes are often in very desirable locations — which is why they’re likely still standing. They also tend to sell faster and fetch higher asking prices than your run-of-the-mill property. Lastly, homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places are oftentimes eligible for tax credits, grant money, and preservation loans if they meet certain rehabilitation standards. As always, check with both federal and state agencies or preservation networks to see if you or your client can help save a piece of the past with your next property purchase.
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