What a Wacky World We Walk in……

July 12th, 2009 - 5:05 pm KY Time

Howllo Fellow Basset Hound, Wacky World and Alliteration Lovers? Well today Grandma, Chaps, Emma and I took a wacky walk. I thought that my dear readers would find this walk interesting so of course I am blogging about it.

I live in a Fort town in Kentucky. Fort Thomas specifically. Our town was a significant town during WWII. My Dad was just a young boy and would sit and watch all of the enlisted men come and go. His family home was within walking distance of the Fort. He recalls that he would sit and watch for hours and hours as the men marched and the horses paraded by.

The top brass lived in a cul-de-sac over looking the Ohio River. We took our walk today to visit the old great giants which are only about 3 minutes from my home. They have been vacant for over 10 years as the USA government and Ft. Thomas try to fight over what to do with them. How embarrassing that our officials have let these homes go into a blight condition. These were mansion quality homes at one point many years ago.

This is how you enter the cul-de-dac as we walked today.

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As you can see it says, US government property – Visitors restricted to sidewalks and roadways.

As we entered the circle we walked to the right.

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This is the first majestic home we passed by. I remember it from my childhood with awe!

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Now she sits looking ashamed. Ashamed that no one loves her. It breaks my heart.

Then you pass by this tattered soul. Her back deck showed many an enlisted man and his family the joy of our Ohio River. That love is long gone.

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At the very end of the cul-de-sac is where the head of the Fort would live. The commanding General.

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Grandma and Emma show the massive size of the great lady. Her back has a huge wrap around porch that faces the OH river. Can you imagine how breath taking that was? She also has a massive deck overlooking fire pits where some of the invited enlisted would roast out dinners. This home faces a hugh green space that marching practice would take place as the General would watch.

See that balcony to the left at the top? My Dad remembers the head guy standing there watching all of the maneuvers in full dress. Can you imagine how cool that was for a little boy? This house is situated right at the bend in the river. The view is absolutely stunning but the over growth is so thick it would take a team of military men with machetes years to whack it down.

Here is next door.

About 12 years ago there was a basset hound who lived in this home. My Mom and I would come by about every other day to visit. Her name was Daisy and she would lay on the picnic table on the back porch. I wonder where she is now…..

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How shameful.

These are about half of the homes in the circle. There are about 10 more on another stretch, all blighted. I have learned recently that there has been some kind of settlement reached and now the property can be sold by the city. Get this. Most of the homes I showed you are going to start at auction for over a million dollars. You can pick you jaw up from the table now.

So, like I said…..What a Wacky World We Walk in………..

More blighted government later….Cat, Chaps and Emma

Comments

  1. July 12th, 2009 | 5:29 pm

    I would guess that if you “won” one of these it would take at least 2 million to repair it. Not to restore it, but to repair it. I am pretty sure you cannot demolish them do to the historic nature.

    Cat

  2. July 12th, 2009 | 6:25 pm

    If money were no object, my husband would love to get his hands on those houses and restore (not just repair) them to their majesty. Money does always seem to be the problem though.

  3. Cat
    July 12th, 2009 | 6:32 pm

    OM – I hear ya! I bet your husband would do a wonderful job. I would love to see someone like him get his hands on these great majestic homes. I had a mini cry today walking past them.

    They are about 8 minutes from NKU, just to put them in geographic perspective.

    Cat

  4. Sandi
    July 12th, 2009 | 7:53 pm

    These are in good condition compared to what mine was when my dad bought it. No roof over 1/4 of the house, rain damage to all of the floors, so overgrown you couldn’t see the house, broken out windows, a TREE growing through the dining room floor, and it is gorgeous now. Love the old brick homes

  5. July 12th, 2009 | 9:19 pm

    Cat – regarding NKU, I thought about that. I had a letter from them last week and they were going to start reviewing apps last Friday (the 10th).

  6. July 13th, 2009 | 8:22 am

    Sandi –

    Your home sounds wonderful. I sure bet that was some before and after! I love the old brick homes as well. I have one from the 40s. Solid as a rock.

    Cat

  7. July 13th, 2009 | 3:02 pm

    That is a travesty to allow those grand homes to decay while they fight over who owns them. I love old houses and these are some beauties. Maybe HGTV should be told about them and they could do a show on fixing them up. Thanks for showing us these homes Cat. I hope someone can save them before it’s too late.

  8. July 13th, 2009 | 4:42 pm

    I know Joni – I am so mortified that this could happen. Hey your idea about HGTV is great! I am going to send them my blog posting.

    What gets me is all of the homeless people living in cars and these old homes decaying at the hands of politicians.

    I will keep you posted.

    Miss you.

    Cat

  9. MaureenandSlinky
    July 14th, 2009 | 9:39 am

    This lack of respect and pride is a shameful example. I thought there was a program were homes like this could be purchased and repaired/restored and would remain historic homes to be included on historic walks and such.

    It is such a shame and waste to have this happen.

  10. May 13th, 2011 | 6:54 pm

    […] SHAMEFUL […]

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