The Heigold House is Louisville’s oldest standing building and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Located at 332-402 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206, it was built in 1852 for Robert Heigold, a wealthy German immigrant who made his fortune as a soap manufacturer. As you can imagine, the exterior of the Heigold House is quite dated. However, its historic significance has preserved it from any significant changes that could have compromised its historic integrity.
The Heigold House Facade
The Heigold House facade is made up of three distinct phases of construction. The oldest section of the facade, which runs along Walnut Street, was constructed between 1852 and 1855. The second portion, which runs across the front of the house, was built between 1868 and 1871. Finally, the section of the facade extending across Court Street was built between 1875 and 1878. The exterior of the Heigold House is a well-preserved example of Second Empire architecture. This style of architecture was popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Some of the most significant examples of this style of architecture can be found in Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium. While the Heigold House facade is not quite as grand as its Parisian or Belgian counterparts, it still makes a dramatic impression on the Walnut Street neighborhood. Up next is Louisville, KY
A 19th Century German Brewery
When you walk up the front steps of the Heigold House, you are greeted by a large metal gate that has long been painted a bright blue color. Behind this gate lies an unexpected feature of the facade a 19th century German brewery. Back then, the brewery was an integral part of the facade’s design. In fact, the brewery was so important to the facade that it was also used for other purposes. The brewery was an outgrowth of the Heigold House’s history as a 19th century German immigrant community. By the mid-19th century, the city of Louisville had a significant German immigrant population. However, Louisville’s urban landscape did not reflect this significant aspect of the city’s history. The German brewery was a solution to this problem. German architecture and beer are closely related. Because of this, the brewery facades that were common in the German communities of Louisville were designed to look like breweries. The Heigold House facade is one such example.
The First Home for the Louisville Free Public Library
The facade of the Heigold House is also significant because it was the first headquarters of the Louisville Free Public Library. In 1878, the library moved into the Heigold House and remained there until 1909. The library was initially housed in the Heigold House because of the remarkable collection of rare books that were amassed by Robert Heigold. The Louisville Free Public Library was Kentucky’s first free public library. It was established by a group of civic-minded citizens in 1867, who were inspired by the benefits of libraries found in the eastern cities of the United States. The founding group included politicians, educators and merchants. Keep reading in This article.
A Place for Street Photography and Art Exhibitions
The Heigold House facade is also a popular place for street photography and art exhibitions. In fact, it is a city landmark that is frequently featured in local tourist guides and street photography books. In order to create an engaging space for these activities, the facade of the Heigold House is currently being restored. While the restoration work is ongoing, the facade of the Heigold House is almost unrecognizable. It will soon have a new look, as the restoration project is expected to be completed in late 2019. The restoration was initially funded by a federal grant that the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded to the Louisville Downtown Development Authority. The facade restoration is part of the city’s initiative to invest in the downtown area.