HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

Preston & St. Catherine Streets Historic District

Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Marker Inscription

Preston & St. Catherine Streets Historic District. This section of Shelby Park neighborhood was laid out ca. 1847. C. P. Moorman, a distiller, built this development in 1884-85. It was made up of Queen Anne rowhouses, detached homes, and commercial buildings. The Moorman development and Italianate residences create a unique enclave in the city of Louisville. Mason Maury, who lived in this area, is credited as the architect. (Reverse) Mason Maury- 1846-1919- A native of Louisville, Maury was known for his use of the “Chicago School” design style. He opened his own office in the early 1880s, and by the end of his career, he was one of the city’s prominent residential and commercial architects. By 1902, Maury had more than 700 buildings to his credit. Among his notable designs are the Kaufman-Straus (1903) and the Louisville Trust Bldg. (1893). Dedicated March 4, 2017.

Erected by Kentucky Historical Society

The Story

This corner of the Shelby Park neighborhood was laid out around 1847, and in 1884–85 the distiller C. P. Moorman built a distinctive development of Queen Anne rowhouses, detached homes, and commercial buildings. Louisville native Mason Maury is credited as its architect, and the Italianate residences form a singular enclave in the city. Maury, a devotee of the "Chicago School," opened his own practice in the early 1880s and by 1902 had more than 700 buildings to his name.

Why it matters

The district preserves a coherent Gilded Age streetscape and the work of a prominent architect who helped shape Louisville's built landscape.

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Related people

  • · Mason Maury
  • · C. P. Moorman

Themes & tags

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