I finally found this previously unlocated Kentucky residence, lurking on East Main street, in Lexington, KY. So here I am relocating the post of it, to the “Here, There, & Everywhere” category of the BLOG. As you can see, it is not in great shape, on the outside, but hopefully the interior still has much of it’s original architectural character. Anyone in the Lexington area that would like to photograph this house for me, please comment on this page. Thanks.
The Rice residence is another classic example of one of George Barber’s most popular early designs. Design 41 from the initial edition of “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2” was actually published a few years earlier, in the “Scientific American” periodical. So popular was this early design, that by the time of the 1891 initial printing of “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2”, Barber advertised that this design had already been built over 100 times, on nearly as many floor plan arrangements. Mr. Rice was a Lumberman and boat builder, so the house design took on added visual importance. Now the house maintains its connection to the shipbuilding industry, by serving as the main offices of a modern day shipbuilding company.
The Whitney residence is a largely intact version of Barber’s design number 83, as published in the “New Model Dwellings” pattern book, the first edition which was published in 1894. Mr. Whitney was a Lumber Baron, so the woodwork in this home is exceptional. The first edition of “New Model Dwellings” was the first Barber pattern book to display some Colonial Renaissance designs, Design 83 being one of them. Barber was decidedly reluctant to acknowledge “Colonial” architecture as the new American aesthetic, following the impressive gleam of the great “White City”, that of the 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago. As it turns out, Barber could not stop the inevitable.
The White residence is a somewhat larger version of Barber’s design number 128, as published in the “Revised and Enlarged” edition of “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2” published 1892. Mr. White was a Druggist according to the federal census of 1900.
Constructed in 1893, the Smith residence is a classic version of Barber’s design number 24, as published in “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2” from 1891. Mr. Smith was a Stock Broker and a successful businessman. This home is one of many Barber house examples built in Rockland, most likely by a Carpenter/Builder who used his copy of the Barber pattern book to aid his clients with the selection of a home design.
The Carey residence appears to be a customized version of Barber’s design number 15, as published in “The Cottage Souvenir No. 2” from 1891. Mr. Carey was a Mayor of Denison at one time and was also a successful businessman. This home was constructed in 1893 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Another “unknown” residence for which I still seek information regarding the original owners, the year of construction and some additional photos, both exterior and interior, if possible. But this and the other 3 known examples of Barber-designed homes in Le Mars, make this town a must-see on the pilgrimage of historic homes. Anyone heading in the direction of Le Mars, please comment here, so I can enlist you in the volunteer army of Barber house photographers. Thanks.
The McCoid residence was published by Barber in the March 1896 edition of his monthly magazine entitled “American Homes Magazine, A Journal Devoted to Planning, Building and Beautifying The Home”. It is one of at least 6 confirmed examples of Barber-designed homes, built in this quaint little Iowa town. In may ways Mt. Pleasant typifies the places where Barber flourished because it was rural but connected by the postal system, and it was largely without local architects to provide services to its residents.