250-52 W. Vine, bet. Mill & Upper
Sts.,
Lexington, Fayette
County, Kentucky
Built 1829
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
One of Lexington's famed hostelries--the "Curd House"--some 90 years ago occupied the well-preserved old building here, which today is serving for a produce concern. When the interior was changed in 1914 by the present owner, there were hotel rooms on the second floor from front to back, each room door bearing a name--"Buffalo," "Saratoga," "Detroit," "St. Louis," etc.
Wm. P. Curd, in January, 1853, took into partnership Robt. B. Shelton "in the business of keeping a Tavern and Livery Stable at the stand lately occupied by the said Wm. P. Curd." The property consisted "of a house and lot purchased of A. J. Reed" (June 2, 1851--66 feet on the corner "which is covered by the stable on the lot and nothing more, the Reed deed stated) "and the Livery Stable and lot at present owned and occupied by said Curd" (the former old stone house next to it, and this house) and all the household and kitchen furniture used in carrying on said establishments of a Tavern and Livery Stable." Curd's wife, Mary A., relinquished her claims.
The "lot owned and occupied by Wm. P. Curd" (this house) had been a woolen factory, established by Richard A. Curd in 1829. He had bought Inlot No. 64 here in 1828, facing Water (Vine) and High Sts., from Dr. Frederick Ridgely's heirs. The lot was between "Wm. Tod and L. and Davis McCullough." Mrs. Eleanor Hart, widow of Thos. Hart, Jr., had an interest in Curd's purchase, but transferred her interest to him November 30, 1829. Then Curd formed a partnership with Milton Lamme in the operation of the factory.
In the partnership agreement, dated January 4, 1836, Curd sold Lamme "one-half of his factory lot, lying between Water and Hill Sts. and the lots of Tod on the West side and McCullough on the east side, fronting on each of said streets 66-2/3 feet; also, one-half of all the machinery in said factory, for which Lamme is to pay $4,250, and one-half of all the stocks in the factory." They entered into partnership "in the manufacture of woolens in said factory," Curd to do the outdoor business in the purchase of wool, sale of the goods and keep the books, Lamme to give his undivided attention to the business of the factory indoors and do his utmost to learn the business and promote the interest of the concern and Curd giving what time to the aid of the indoor business as he can spare from his other businesses."
Curd died a young man just two months later. He possessed considerable property, including the whole block on the west side of Limestone St. from Main to Water--a gift ten years before from his father-in-law John W. Hunt.
On January 1, 1837, John Curd, brother and executor, and Mrs. Elinor Hunt Curd, widow and executrix, deeded to Thos. H. Hunt, assignee of Milton Lamme, for $4,250 "one-half of the following described lands, etc.:
"Being the land and buildings on Water and High Sts., the same upon which the said Richard A. Curd and Milton Lamme have erected a woolen manufactory, including one-half the land, buildings, machinery and fixtures now on the same for carding, spinning and weaving wool, now generally known by the name of Curd & Lamme's woolen Factory." (The 1838 Directory lists "Curd & Hunt, woolen manufacturers, 21 W. Water St.").
As to when Wm. P. Curd converted the property into a tavern (before 1851) is not revealed by the deeds. It was referred to as "the Curd House" in deeds from 1865 to 1883.
The original Curd House must have gotten into financial difficulties, as Medley Shelton filed a list of "Furniture in Curd House bought at Constable's Sale August 10, 1857."
The list, comprising two pages, started with "Garrett floor, 13 matrasses, 6 Bedsteads, 6 comforts, 4 pillows and 5 chairs" and then enumerated the items by rooms.
The rooms were numbered from 10 to 30, both inclusive. In addition there were three parlors.
The room furnishings consisted of a carpet, one or more bedsteads and featherbeds, mattress, etc., table, looking glass, washstand, bowl and pitchers, candle-stick and Venetian blinds.
Shelton assigned the property to C.C. Rogers "to be sold by him to pay off divers sale bonds the said Rogers has this day signed as security" but not to be sold unless Shelton failed to pay the bonds. "This property is left at W.P. Curd in this city," the statement concluded.
Wm. P. Curd bought for his livery stables the two adjoining properties, from this house to Mill St. June 2, 1851, from sons of Isaac Reed. The corner lot, the deed of A.J. Reed said, "was covered by the stable now on the lot and nothing more." It has no history worth while. The one between the tavern and the corner "stable," purchased from Wm. Logan Reed, has a very interesting history.
The latter was a stone building--Wm. Tod's residence and pioneer cotton factory. The 1806 Directory lists "Wm. Tod, Cotton Spinner, Water St." and says in the introduction: "Messrs. Tod and Jones, two ingenious mechanics, have erected machinery for carding, roving and spinning cotton--Mr. Tod's contains 288 spindles--Mr. Jones' 144. Extensive works are now erecting by Mr. Tod for carding and spinning hemp by machinery."
The Bank of the United States took a mortgage deed to the property March 2, 1822, from Wm. Tod, cotton spinner," and wife, Margaret. The bank conveyed it in 1827 to Wm. Tod, Jr., and David Tod--"Inlot No. 65, fronting on Water St. 66 feet, between the lots of Wm. Leavy on the north-west" (the corner property) "and Frederick Ridgely's heirs on the south-west" (later Richard A. Curd).
David Tod conveyed his interest to Wm. Tod, Jr. in 1832, in "the stone house and lot,"
In 1843, by court decree "the house and lot formerly owned and occupied by Wm. Tod, dec'd.," was sold by Commissioner.
Thos. B. Baxter bought it and sold it in 1843 to Wm. L. Reed, describing it same as heretofore.
Wm. L. Reed, as stated above, sold it to Wm. P. Curd June 2, 1851, the same day A.J. Reed sold Curd the corner "stable."
The above is recited not only as interesting history but to authenticate the house here today as the original Curd Tavern--the "stone house" was operated as "Curd House" afterwards, but the records indicate it was an addition to the original inn.
Transcribed by pb June 2004