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Chris Bennett Explores: Frankfort, KY A routine business trip to the State Capitol turns out to be anything but routine for the traveler from Fairplay, who finds good food, world class architecture, a connection with a great Adair County history teacher, a river trip idea, and has an epiphany: A realization that he would hate to see Adair County's Old Courthouse auctioned on e-Bay, or, from his Southern perspective, suffer an even worse fate! Click on headline for full story, Chris Bennett photos By Chris Bennett Exploring the history and Architecture of our great State.On October 13th 2009, I attended a meeting of the Electrical Advisory Board in Frankfort Kentucky; in this government meeting I was awarded a certification as a Commercial Electrical Inspector. (I know, yawn, yawn, boring). BUT, This Committee meeting allowed me to do two things that I think are pretty cool.
After the meeting adjourned I ate lunch at Johnny Carino's Italian restaurant, sorry I didn't take any photos of my food. However, if your familiar with Carino's you know that I had a great meal. Next, I drove to down town Frankfort; I took photos of the Capital, the Kentucky River, (what a great river trip that would make) and many other historical buildings. I went by the house that Frank Lloyd Wright was hired to design in 1910; I also drove by the final resting place of Rebecca and Daniel Boone, and I paid my respects to Kentucky's "first" couple. Took photo of statue of Gov. Goebel Time was getting away from me, so I decided I would take a stroll around downtown Frankfort. I snapped a few more photos, and then decided to take a tour of the Old Capitol Building. As I walked up to the old State House I took a photo of the statue of William Goebel, and then a photo of the old Greek temple itself. Adair County history teacher is well-known here When I walked in the door, a very nice smiling lady welcomed me to the old Capital Building. Next she asked me where I was from, and I told her Columbia. She said, "That is in Adair County isn't it?" I told her that she was right. Then she said " There used to be this great history teacher from Adair County, and he would bring his students here on a fieldtrip every year." Mr. Curry, I replied, and as a matter of fact the last time I was in this building I was on a field trip with him, I told her. She was thrilled to here that. I paid them $6 and we started the tour of the old Capital, a retired couple from Missouri joined us. Gideon Shyrock won architect's contest In 1827, a 25-year-old Lexington Architect named Gideon Shyrock began the massive task of building the Capital building in downtown Frankfort. Kentucky had already lost six State Houses to fire, two of which were built in the same spot that the old capitol building stands now. For this reason, the government began to search for a design that would be impervious to fire. The Kentucky Legislature sponsored an architect's competition. The winner would receive the bid to design the new Kentucky Capitol building. Mr. Shyrock won this competition and gave our state a great gift. Building is built of Kentucky Marble The exterior of the building was based on the Greek Revival Style, and patterned after a Greek temple. The entire structure was to be constructed of "Kentucky Marble," a form of crystalline limestone found near the cliffs overlooking the beautiful Kentucky River, which flows through down town Frankfort. The interior design is also classical in origin, including a central rotunda topped by a domed cupola. This cupola has been called "the lantern," and it provides the main source of light for the Senate and House chambers located on the second floor. Polished white stone was used for the floors and stairways. The main circular staircase including the huge crack that formed when the stairway was being assembled is self-supporting. Its weight dependent upon a single keystone, similar in design to Roman arches. If the arched stairs are moved 1/10 of an inch, the entire stairwell would collapse. It is thought that this stairwell design is the only one in existence in the world. Building cost all of $85,000 in 1830 money The building was completed in 1830 at a cost of $85,000; the building contains some of the greatest architectural and artistic features found in our great state. There are several oil paintings on the walls including a famous portrait of George Washington. This building is a great part of our state history. It was captured two times during The War for Southern Independence by the Confederate army. I think everyone who lives in Kentucky should go there and take a tour! A hope for our own Adair County Courthouse I hope that some day our own Courthouse can be a museum of Kentucky and Adair County History, and people will travel here to See its Architecture and study Its History. I would hate for us to sell the Courthouse on eBay, to the Chinese, or worse, having it bought by northern investors! Chris Bennett is author of Rivermen of the Cumberland If you go: It's slightly over 98 miles from the Center of the Universe, The Old County Capitol, our Old Adair County Courthouse, 500 Public Square, Columbia, KY to the Old State Capitol, 300 W. Broadway, Frankfort, KY. The most popular route is through Campbellsville, Lebanon, and Springfield via KY 55, KY 555 to the Bluegrass Parkway, and US 127 to Frankfort. This story was posted on 2009-10-15 02:56:30
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