South Main and South Elm Streets Historic District

South Main and South Elm Streets Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Location	Roughly bounded by Washington, Center, S. Green, Jefferson, S. Main and Water Sts., Henderson, Kentucky
Area	49 acres (20 ha)
Architect	Shopbell & Harris; Benjamin Bosworth Smith
Architectural style	Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements architecture, Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals architecture, Late Victorian
NRHP reference No.	92000500[1]
Added to NRHP	May 11, 1992

The South Main and South Elm Streets Historic District in Henderson, Kentucky is a historic district which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.^[1]

It includes all or part of 13 blocks roughly bounded by Washington, Center, S. Green, Jefferson, S. Main and Water Streets, including 125 contributing buildings, four contributing structures, and a contributing site, on about 49 acres (20 ha).^[2]

Architects Shopbell & Harris and Benjamin Bosworth Smith designed works in the district.

It includes 125 contributing buildings, four contributing structures, and a contributing site, on 49 acres (20 ha).^[2]

It includes:

• Barret House, separately NRHP-listed in 1977
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church (1859), separately NRHP-listed in 1978, "the oldest Henderson church remaining in use by original denomination", which is in a "picturesque Gothic Revival style of stuccoed brick in a cruciform plan; all bays defined by simple stepped buttresses with stone caps and pointed arched windows with stone hood molds; gabled main facade has large pointed arch window topped by second, much larger stone hood mold in low relief and ornamental bracing with a pierced trefoil pattern; 3-stage square tower on northwest corner has Tudor-arched sain entrance, belfry with louvered lancet windows and tall 8-sided spire; 7-bay deep sanctuary has 3 aisles, original pews, exposed walnut beans and large pointed arch framing the chancel; geometrical tripartite window behind altar depicts scenes from life of St. Paul, said to be imported from Holland; parish house added 1881 by extending west transept 5 bays in same style as original; stucco added at unknown date; 2-story wing added to south side of parish house 1958; parish formed 1831 and built first church 1837 at corner Rain and Third; this second building designed by Bishop Benjamin Bosworth Smith, who visited England and is credited with designs of several mid-19th c. Episcopal churches in central KY inspired by a church in Stoke Poges, England; built by William Temperly of Maidson, IN. (NR nomination, OHH)"^[2] Also contributing is its "wrought iron fence with panelled posts and lancet pickets."^[2]

• Henderson County Public Library (1904), S. Main St.; designed "by prolific library architects Shopbell & Harris of Evansville, Indiana, the stone structure features a tall primary level on a full raised basement, an Ionic tetrastyle temple front at the entrance pavilion, tall windows with pedimented hoods, and a low dome on an octagonal drum."^[2] The library received funding from Andrew Carnegie as part of the philanthropist's Carnegie library program, but had issues finding a suitable lot in the town.^[3] The library was opened to the public on August 1, 1904.^[3] The Library underwent renovations in 2020, with a major expansion to the existing building.^[4]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Henderson County, Kentucky