Located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region, Nicholasville stands as a testament to the resilient spirit of American frontier settlement and modern growth. As the county seat of Jessamine County, this charming city blends historical depth with contemporary vitality, offering a window into Kentucky’s past while embracing its future.
Founded in the late 18th century, Nicholasville’s story is one of pioneers, political figures, and pivotal events that shaped not only the local landscape but also the broader narrative of the Bluegrass State. With a population that surged from modest beginnings to over 31,000 by 2020, the city has evolved into a commuter hub and retail center, all while preserving its small-town charm.
History
The origins of Nicholasville trace back to the post-Revolutionary War era, a time when European Americans ventured westward in search of fertile lands and new opportunities. In 1798, Reverend John Metcalf, a Methodist minister who had already established the region’s first school in 1794, laid out the town. Metcalf named it in honor of Colonel George Nicholas, a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia who played a crucial role in Kentucky’s early governance. Nicholas, often called the “Father of Kentucky’s Constitution,” served as the state’s first Attorney General and was instrumental in framing the 1792 constitution.
The area was surveyed as early as 1796 by Frederick Zimmerman, attracted by natural springs and proximity to the Kentucky River. Jessamine County itself was carved from Fayette County (Home to the city of Lexington, Kentucky) in 1798, named either for the jessamine flowers blanketing the region or Jessamine Creek—though folklore ties it to Jessamine Douglass, a settler’s daughter tragically killed by Native Americans.
Early settlers, primarily from Virginia, transformed the wilderness into a thriving community. Benjamin Netherland opened the Mingo Tavern in 1793, foreshadowing Nicholasville’s role as a hub. The town received its first charter in 1812 and was formally incorporated in 1837. By 1849, the city acquired land for Maple Grove Cemetery, signaling infrastructural growth. Education was a cornerstone; Bethel Academy, founded in the late 18th century, influenced local development, with its assets later supporting Nicholasville schools. The region boasted innovations like the United States’ first commercial vineyard, producing Kentucky’s inaugural wine, and High Bridge, the world’s first cantilever bridge over open water.
However, Nicholasville’s 19th-century history also reflects the nation’s darker struggles. Racial violence marred the post-Reconstruction era, including an attempted lynching in 1874 and the tragic 1902 lynching of Thomas Brown on the courthouse lawn.
The Civil War profoundly impacted the area. In June 1863, Union forces constructed Camp Nelson, a 4,000-acre supply depot, training ground, and recruitment center for African American soldiers. It became a beacon of emancipation, freeing thousands of enslaved people who sought refuge there. Policies evolved to grant liberty to recruits and their families, making Camp Nelson a pivotal site in African American history. Today, it’s preserved as a National Monument and Cemetery.
Hoover House
Nestled on the outskirts of Nicholasville, Kentucky, the Hoover House at 1201 South Main Street stands as a striking example of early 20th-century residential architecture in the Bluegrass region. This historic residence, built in 1914, embodies the Neo-Colonial style, blending classical elements with modern comforts of its era. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July 5, 1984, the house reflects the ambitions of its original owner, Everett B. Hoover, a prominent local lawyer and judge. Over the years, it has transitioned from a private family home to a sanatorium and back to a residence, weathering threats of demolition while preserving its architectural integrity. Today, it remains a private single-family home, valued at over $1.9 million, symbolizing the enduring charm of Kentucky’s historic properties.
The history of the Hoover House begins long before its construction, rooted in the early settlement of Jessamine County.
The site was originally occupied by the Woodson House, a brick residence built around the early 19th century by Samuel Hughes Woodson, Jessamine County’s first circuit court clerk from 1803 to 1819 and later a U.S. Congressman. Woodson, a Virginia native who moved to Kentucky, advocated for Nicholasville as the county seat, and his home—described as an elegant structure with 14-foot ceilings and a 12-foot-wide hall—stood about a mile south of the town’s original survey point. This earlier dwelling was tied to one of the county’s formative controversies over the seat’s location.
When Everett B. Hoover acquired the property, he demolished the Woodson House at a cost of $150, reusing its bricks to construct a meat house (likely a smokehouse) on the grounds. Some stone and brick materials were also incorporated into other outbuildings, linking the new structure to its predecessor.
Everett B. Hoover, born in Jessamine County in 1860 to farmers William H. and Sallie Evans Hoover, pursued law at Vanderbilt University and Columbia College. He practiced in Nicholasville, serving as city court judge from 1886 onward, and married Ella Burnett in 1882. In 1914, Hoover commissioned the construction of his namesake house, enlisting builder David Wolfe from nearby Georgetown. The project totaled $9,474, including extras, as documented in Hoover’s preserved building journal. This investment reflected Hoover’s status and the growing prosperity of Nicholasville during the early 20th century, a period when the town was evolving from a rural outpost into a more developed community.
Architecture
Architecturally, the Hoover House exemplifies the Neo-Colonial style, sometimes referred to as Neo-Classical or Greek Revival in listings, drawing inspiration from colonial American designs with classical Greek and Roman influences. Constructed of yellow brick, the 5,335-square-foot home rises two-and-a-half stories, featuring a symmetrical five-bay central block on a center passage plan with a double-pile layout. Flanking the main block are two-story, single-pile wings, creating a balanced facade. The entrance is highlighted by a three-bay Ionic portico supported by tall columns, evoking grandeur and classical proportion. A recently enclosed rear gallery adds functional space, while the overall exterior remains in excellent condition, showcasing the durability of its materials.
Interior alterations have occurred over time, but the house retains key features like its spacious layout, accommodating five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Outbuildings enhance the property’s historical value: the meat house, repurposed from Woodson House bricks, and 1916 stock barns demonstrate early 20th-century agricultural architecture. The design’s preservation is notable, as the National Register nomination praises it as one of Jessamine County’s few exemplars of early modern styles and the best-preserved Neo-Colonial residence in the area. Its location on the west side of Route 27, at the southwest corner of Kimberly Road, offers visibility from the road, though it is privately owned and not open to the public.
The Hoover House’s inclusion on the National Register in 1984 highlights its significance in Kentucky’s architectural heritage. Prepared by the Kentucky Heritage Council in 1977, the nomination emphasizes its role in representing the transition from 19th-century frontier styles to more refined early 20th-century designs. Preservation efforts have been crucial, especially amid 2016 auction fears, aligning with broader initiatives in Nicholasville to protect historic sites through programs like “Nicholasville Now!” and the downtown National Historic District.
Today
Following Hoover’s tenure, the house served various purposes. It operated as a sanatorium under Charles Fentress, catering to health needs in an era when such facilities were common in rural areas.
In 1967, developer Charles Moore and his wife Anna purchased the property as part of a 222-acre farm. Moore, known for constructing homes and shopping centers in Lexington, including Southland, maintained the house while developing surrounding lands. The Hoover House remained in the Moore family until 2016, when it was auctioned off alongside over 32 acres for $1,177,000. The sale sparked concerns among preservationists about potential demolition for commercial development, given the property’s prime location along U.S. Route 27. However, the new owners stated no immediate plans to raze the structure.
By 2021, the house—now on a reduced 2.75-acre lot—was sold as a private residence for $550,000.
As of 2025 it’s now known as “The Mansion on South Main” and is rented for weddings and special events: 1201 South Main Street in Nicholasville, Kentucky
The Hoover House encapsulates Nicholasville’s layered history—from early political intrigue to modern preservation challenges—while its Neo-Colonial architecture continues to inspire. As a well-maintained private residence, it serves as a quiet guardian of Kentucky’s past, reminding us of the importance of safeguarding such treasures for future generations. Its story is one of resilience, adaptation, and timeless elegance in the heart of the Bluegrass.
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