Near Prospect in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Merriwether House
On Jan. 6, 1891, Harry Merriwether purchased 1.5 acres overlooking Harrods Creek from Allison family. Property transferred to his grandson, Harry Hall Merriwether, May 3, 1898, who built the unique house that stands today. The Merriwether family engaged in farming and built and managed docks and cottages for vacationers on Harrods Creek.
Harry and Isaac Merriwether were the first African American landowners in the Harrods Creek area. After Harry Hall Merriwether's death in 1954, his wife, Elenora, maintained the property. Merriwether House is only surviving structure of this early African American community and remains in the Merriwether family.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2079.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 1891.
Location. 38° 19.692′ N, 85° 37.854′ W. Marker is near Prospect, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of River Road and Hoskins Beach Road, on the right when traveling north on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6421 River Road, Prospect KY 40059, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Kentucky Soldiers’ Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Harrod's Creek (approx. 1.2 miles away); Early Jewish Congregations (approx. 2.6 miles away); Wolf Pen Corridor / Wolf Pen Preservation Association, Inc. (approx. 3.3 miles away); Von Allmen Dairy Farm House (approx. 3.3 miles away); George Rogers Clark At Locust Grove / Lewis and Clark in Kentucky - Locust Grove (approx. 3.4 miles away); Zachary Taylor Home (approx. 3˝ miles away); Col. Richard Taylor (1744-1829)/George Rudy (1744-1806) (approx. 3˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prospect.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 692 times since then and 149 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on December 6, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup photo of reverse side of marker. • Can you help?