Middletown in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Middletown Inn

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2022

1. Middletown Inn Marker

Inscription. The eastern portion, built in 1798, has a timber frame with the interstices filled with brick and mortar. A two-story solid brick section was added in 1804. Its original brick “out kitchen” and limestone smokehouse still exist. The building served as a hostelry until 1936.

Listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

Erected by Historic Middletown, Inc. • City of Middletown.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.

Location. 38° 14.73′ N, 85° 32.365′ W. Marker is in Middletown, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and North Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11705 Main St, Louisville KY 40243, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Middletown Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Milestone / Old Public Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Middletown (within shouting distance of this marker); Arterburn House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Benjamin Head House (about

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600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gov. Lawrence Wetherby Statue (about 600 feet away); Lawrence Winchester Wetherby / Gov. Lawrence W. Wetherby (about 600 feet away); Middletown's First Gas Station (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown.

Regarding Middletown Inn. Excerpt from the Kentucky Historic Resources Inventory card on the site:

The Middletown Inn is a brick and log building which is believed to have been built circa 1800 by James Speer, who owned the log originally. In 1815 it was owned by John Evans, at whose house the election for the trustees of Middletown was held.

Dr. Robert V. Sprowl owned the hotel and resided there from 1850 to 1872. Dr. Sprowl, born in Indiana in 1820, graduated from the Louisville Medical University. At a young age he moved to Middletown where he practiced medicine until 1859.

In 1872 the Inn was sold to Edward T. Hord. At this time it became known as the Hord Hotel. Hord operated it until his death in 1880, at which time his wife became the proprietress and ran a grocery in connection with the hotel. In 1905 when her son William Hord took over the business, he discontinued
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2022

2. Middletown Inn Marker
the grocery department and introduced a bakery. In 1920 the structure was sold to William Schindler who had the entire structure stuccoed and added the front porch.

Also see . . . Middletown Inn (PDF). Kentucky Historic Resources Inventory card for the property, the basis for its inclusion on the National Register as part of a larger multiple property submission. (National Archives) (Submitted on August 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Middletown Inn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 24, 2022

3. Middletown Inn

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,534 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.