Higgins Block, Lexington

The Higgins Block stands as a captivating example of 19th-century Italianate commercial architecture. Built in 1872 and designed by renowned Lexington architect John McMurtry, this three-story brick building originally housed five storefronts along West Main Street, each framed by elegant cast-iron facades and grand two-over-two arched windows. Today, the structure you see retains two of those historic storefronts, a remnant of its former grandeur after part of the block was demolished in 1912 to make room for the Fayette National Bank Building.

As you approach the Higgins Block, admire the facade鈥檚 intricate details: Corinthian pilasters, bracketed cornice, dentil molding, and decorative relief panels鈥攈allmarks of the Italianate style that flourished in post-Civil War America. These fine features earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and it remains a contributing property within Lexington鈥檚 Downtown Commercial Historic District, which showcases a rich tapestry of architectural styles from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors today will find the Higgins Block a charming stop amid bustling shops, eateries, and cultural sites. Its lighter, stucco-clad side and modern storefront inserts speak to the building鈥檚 resilient evolution鈥攐nce praised as 鈥渢he handsomest of any building in Lexington鈥�, yet adapted over time to keep pace with the city. Take a moment to imagine horse-drawn carriages rolling past these windows in the late 1800s, and enjoy the blend of historic ambiance and vibrant urban life that defines Lexington鈥檚 Main Street.

Whether you鈥檙e a history buff, an architecture aficionado, or just exploring downtown, the Higgins Block is a modest but meaningful piece of Lexington鈥檚 story鈥攁n enduring testament to the city鈥檚 economic growth, changing skylines, and deep appreciation for preserving the echoes of its past.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lexington. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Higgins Block
Sight Location: Lexington, USA (See walking tours in Lexington)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historical Buildings

Walking Tours in Lexington, Kentucky

Create Your Own Walk in Lexington

Creating your own self-guided walk in Lexington is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Buildings

Historical buildings in Lexington, Kentucky, serve as time capsules, reflecting the architectural and cultural history of the region. A good number of these structures are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, each having its own story to tell. Let's explore a few notable structures that have made significant architectural contributions to the cityscape of Lexington.

The... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

Lexington Introduction Walking Tour

Lexington is Kentucky's second-largest city and the Fayette County seat. The city is most famous for the Thoroughbred racing industry but has so much to offer besides attractions related to racing. This city dates back to 1782 when Kentucky was still part of the Commonwealth of Virginia and was settled by frontiersmen under the leadership of William McConnell.

During the 19th century, the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles

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