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

Somerset Hall

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, July 19, 2020

1. Somerset Hall Marker (side A)

Inscription.
Built ca. 1845, this Greek Revival home served as summer residence for Louisiana plantation owner Wm. Butler Kenner. He brought slaves with him, some of whom escaped to Ohio. During the periods when the house was vacant, it is said to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. Kenner died of yellow fever in 1853 in New Orleans.
Presented by the Ludlow Heritage Museum
The house had several owners until it was bought by A. B. Closson, Jr. in 1875. The Clossons, known for their art gallery & furniture store in Cincinnati, lived here for over 50 years. In 1926. the Masons purchased the house for a Unity Lodge. Sold again in 1997, the house was restored and became a private residence.
Dedicated to Julia Payne Closson

Erected 2014 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2422.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 39° 5.659′ N, 84° 33.09′

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W. Marker is in Ludlow, Kentucky, in Kenton County. Marker is at the intersection of Somerset Street and Ringgold Street, on the right when traveling east on Somerset Street. Marker is on the back side of the house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 Closson Ct, Covington KY 41016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Elmwood Hall (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Decline (approx. 0.4 miles away); The 1894 Strike (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Development of the Railroad in Ludlow (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ludlow Blooms (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Price Hill Incline (approx. 0.8 miles away in Ohio); Cincinnati Union Terminal (approx. 1.3 miles away in Ohio); From the Farewell Address of George Washington (approx. 1.3 miles away in Ohio). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ludlow.

Also see . . .
1. Historic Greek Revival-Style Estate "Somerset Hall" is Now for Sale in Ludlow. Photographs inside and outside the house, including of its billiards room and colorful staircase. (CityBeat, posted March 30, 2020) (Submitted on December 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. If You Love a Good Porch, This Historic Ludlow Home Is For You. Cincinnati Magazine website entry (Submitted on February 8, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Somerset Hall Marker (side B) image. Click for full size.

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, July 19, 2020

2. Somerset Hall Marker (side B)

Somerset Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, July 19, 2020

3. Somerset Hall Marker

Somerset Hall (back side) image. Click for full size.

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, July 19, 2020

4. Somerset Hall (back side)

Marker is just out of camera range on the right.

Somerset Hall (front side) image. Click for full size.

Warren LeMay via Flickr/Public domain, July 19, 2020

5. Somerset Hall (front side)

It faces Closson Court, a short, dead-end street.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 4, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.