Beech Tree News Network

Standing at the corner of Main and Porter streets, the Carson-Hammers house recently received a new coat of roof paint and some decorating in time for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Currently listed at the courthouse as belonging to the Hammers House Holding Trust, the house has been in the Hammers family since 1934 when Herman Hammers and his wife Mary bought it from J.N. Hilton. Neighbors listed on deeds throughout time were J.O. Carson to the south and J.R. Moore to the West.

Roger Givens, co-author of Images of America, Butler County, included a detailed history of the home in his series “Kentucky Landmarks” which he published in 1983. Excerpts in summary include:

1). The two-story, tee-shaped house was built in 1890 by John M. Carson.

2)    Accomplishments of Mr. Carson included being elected Butler County Circuit Court Clerk, serving from 1882 until 1886. He worked at Morgantown Deposit Bank until opening the John M. Carson Bank. After the Carson bank failed in 1933, all assets, including the Carson home, were sold. J.N. Hilton was the successful buyer of the home for $2,525. He later sold to the Hammers.

The location of the lot dates back to a December 31, 1810 plat of the city on which the lot was first listed as number 65. A 1930 map of the city shows Main street, then called Butler street, as an extension of Highway 70. Bowling Green road was called highway number 71 back in 1930.

The Carson-Hammers house was entered into the National Register on July 26, 1991. A copy the application may be viewed at:

http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/91000922.pdf

Story and photos by Roger Southerland, Beech Tree News