Beechmont Neighborhood Association

Historic Preservation

Mar 02, 2005

Historic
Preservation
of Beechmont 

Do you feel the need to preserve the past? If you answered no to this question, I hope to convert you after you read this article.
Starting this February, the Beechmont Neighborhood Association will be kicking off a petition drive that will require 300 signatures from Beechmont residents. It will request a Historic Preservation Overlay of the entire Beechmont neighborhood from the Local Historic Landmarks Commission.
You may be asking your self why would we want to do something like this and what would it mean to Beechmont if it was given historic preservation status.
If you live in the neighborhood it should be readily apparent why we would want to undertake this endeavor. All you have to do is look around and see some of the most beautiful houses in Louisville. To preserve and protect these treasures we need to maintain the historical integrity of Southern Parkway and the neighborhood.
Here?’s a little history about the neighborhood. Beechmont was conceived in 1871, but not developed until the 1890?’s. Developers advertised the area as ?“Beechmont the Beautiful?” and ?“The Grand Dame?”. It targeted wealthier citizens of Louisville with larger lots, green medians, and easy access to downtown.
The area was originally the summer neighborhood of Old Louisville. Many residents of the city would escape to Beechmont. City residents put up summerhouses to escape the noise, filth, and disease of early city living. The area had many beech trees and hence was named ?“Beechmont?”.
The area is of great historical significance. Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed Grand Boulevard now known, as Southern Parkway, which joins Iroquois Park also an Olmsted project. Olmsted is known as the founder of American Landscape Architecture. His signature trademarks are winding paths, scenic views, and large open areas for people to relax. Olmsted designed many famous landscapes around the United States. He also designed New York?’s Central Park, the landscaping around the Biltmore Estate for George Vanderbilt, and the grounds around the US Capitol. So you can see that we really do have a national treasure right here in our own neighborhood.
Now let me explain what preservation will mean to the Beechmont neighborhood. First and foremost, it will mean stability. It is a proven fact that after an area is deemed a preservation district it can and will stop any decline in that area.
Property owners should see an increase in property values. I have found many articles that also state historic homes in preservation districts across the country generally appreciate in value at a higher rate than in areas without this status, and for most of us our home is our biggest investment that we ever make.
Ok, so let?’s hopefully dispel a couple of myths about historic preservation. Below are just a few. The item below is directly from the National Trust for Historic Preservation (http://www.nationaltrust.org) web site.
Myths:
?• I won?’t be able to change anything about my house, such as paint color or landscaping, plumbing, etc., without the approval of the ?“history police?”.
?• I have to open my house up for tours.
?• I won?’t be able to sell my house.
The reality is none of these statements are true. No one from the local, state, or federal government, for example, is going to block the installation of a dishwasher, water heater etc. Historic review boards may evaluate major projects, but these locally chosen boards also give homeowners the opportunity to present their case for making changes.
Though many people choose to open their homes once a year to neighborhood tours, no one has to give the public access.
And it?’s becoming increasingly clear that being part of a historic district may actually improve property values, since potential buyers know that their community will escape the kind of every-man-for-himself development that ultimately leaves everyone poorer.
As you can see there are a lot of myths. Hopefully I have cleared up a few and I am sure you probably are starting to have a lot of other questions. So, what I am going to do is give you my e-mail address and let you forward me any questions pertaining to preservation at WeBe10Apts@peoplepc.com. If I cannot answer them I will forward them to people who can get you the correct answers.
If you are interested in being involved in this historic preservation project you can also forward me your name and number and we will get back with you.
In closing, there are many benefits to the historic preservation of Beechmont (increased value, and stability) but really the most important thing about Historic Preservation is to honor the past, letting future generations enjoy the beautiful homes of our area, and to observe the craftsmanship of these fine homes. Only by protecting the past will we be able to preserve these treasures for future generations.
So please, we encourage every member of the Beechmont Neighborhood Association to sign the petition. ~ Mike Starck