Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Holmes High School / Holmesdale Estate

Holmes High School Marker (Side A) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2021

1. Holmes High School Marker (Side A)

Inscription.
Holmes High School This is one of Kentucky's earliest tax-supported, coeducational, public high schools. It was founded as Covington High School in 1853, at Scott and 1lth Sts. Present name adopted when moved to this site. Campus is former estate of New Orleans merchant, Daniel Henry Holmes, and site of Union Army activity during Civil War.

Homesdale Estate Holmes Castle, home of Daniel Henry Holmes, erected here in 1866. His son, Daniel Henry, Jr., was noted 19th century poet. The 32-room, English-Gothic manor was acquired by Covington Board of Education; from 1919-36 the mansion was part of Holmes High School. In 1936, it was razed and replaced by a new administration building.
Presented by Holmes High School PTA

Erected 1981 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 1691.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 39° 3.638′ N, 84° 30.214′

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W. Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. Marker is on Madison Avenue (Kentucky Route 17) north of Levassor Place, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the entrance to the school campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2500 Madison Avenue, Covington KY 41014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Longwood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Frank L. Michaels House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Virginia Apartments (approx. 0.3 miles away); Michaels House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Wallace-Boyd House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hollingsworth House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Shaw House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Elizabeth Grossmann House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Covington.

Regarding Holmes High School / Holmesdale Estate. From "Bygone Buildings: Covington’s Changing Cityscape" by the Kenton County Public Library:

Holmes’ Castle is likely the most well-known example of lost architecture in Covington. This palatial home was the second location of Covington Public High School. The high school was originally located on Russell Street, near 12th Street, and was also torn down. Holmes’ Castle was built by Daniel Henry Holmes, a wealthy retailer. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style, which can be identified by its pointed arch windows and church-like details.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2021

2. Holmes High School Marker (Side B)
With its sprawling grounds and lavishly appointed interior, Holmesdale was not D. H. Holmes’ only residence, and in 1915 (seventeen years after his death), his surviving family sold the property to the Covington School Board. The high school was moved into the residence until 1936, when it was razed and a new building constructed in its place. The décor and furnishings that remained were auctioned, and what didn’t sell was unceremoniously burned in the football field.

Holmes High School / Homesdale Estate Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2021

3. Holmes High School / Homesdale Estate Marker

View from the school's entrance road.

Holmes High School main entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 30, 2021

4. Holmes High School main entrance

The campus includes a middle school also named after Daniel Holmes.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 200 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.