Bardstown in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Smiley - Browne Building

1843

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

1. The Smiley - Browne Building Marker

Inscription. This unusual commercial building was remarkable from the time it was built with four separate shops on the ground floor (most buildings had only one or two) and a series of four chimneys along the front cornice eve to serve the 2nd floor apartment rooms. (The chimneys are still there — now enclosed in the front parapet added about 1925.) As the years passed, a series of 'saloons' developed in these shop spaces on the east side of 3rd street; this included some of the Smiley Browne Shop 'bays'. "Saloon Row", as it came to be known was 'off limits' to the ladies of Bardstown with proper Victorian morals. They would not venture to this shady side of the street. Since the two early banking houses were on this east side of 3rd street, in the same block, the 'money men' had a problem. By the late 19th century, the banks were advertising to encourage the ladies to come over to the money side and ignore those old saloon fronts, sharing space with bankers! Today high fashion ladies shops have replaced the saloons and the bankers are still with us, bigger than ever. Advertising pays, aided by the passage of time and changing tastes.

Contributing to the Bardstown National Register District

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 37° 48.603′ N, 85° 27.985′ W. Marker is in Bardstown, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It is on North 3rd Street (U.S. 150) south of East Flaget Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 119 N 3rd St, Bardstown KY 40004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: The Lafayette Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Crystal Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Spalding & Sons (within shouting distance of this marker); Smiley-Losson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust Co.

The Smiley - Browne Building Marker between 2 commercial storefronts above the bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

2. The Smiley - Browne Building Marker between 2 commercial storefronts above the bench

(within shouting distance of this marker); Beall's Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica of the First Steamboat (within shouting distance of this marker); John Fitch Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bardstown.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.