Bird's Nest (Shelby County, Kentucky)

Bird's Nest
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	On Kentucky Route 43 in Shelby County, Kentucky, 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Cropper, Kentucky
Coordinates	38°16′54″N 85°07′18″W
Area	1.3 acres (0.53 ha)
Built	1850
Architectural style	Greek Revival
MPS	Shelby County MRA
NRHP reference No.	88002859[1]
Added to NRHP	December 27, 1988

The Bird's Nest is a historic residence built c.1850 in Shelby County, Kentucky, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Cropper, Kentucky.[1] It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988. The NRHP listing included two other contributing buildings and a non-contributing building.[2]

History

The property, with a house on it, was purchased by Philemon Bird from Amos Hall in 1845. Hall's house was demolished when the Bird's Nest house was built in 1850–51. It was a "family tradition" (meaning there is no documentation) that a Louisville "architect" built the house. It is in the Greek Revival style.[2]

One of Philomen Bird's sons, Henry Bird was given a 100 acres (40 ha) parcel across Kentucky Route 43. A barn on that property is also listed on the National Register, as Bird Octagonal Mule Barn.[2]

The Bird's Nest house property was passed to another of Philemon's sons, George Caldwell Bird, and then to his son, George Caldwell Bird Jr.[2]

The buildings have been demolished or otherwise are no longer on the site.[3] A concrete cylinder remains (38.28040°N 85.12256°W / 38.28040; -85.12256 (Concrete cylinder)) and possibly house foundations. A likely former location of house is 38.2808°N 85.12449°W / 38.2808; -85.12449 (likely location), at the top of the rise where a metal barn or other building now stands. Another likely location is forward on the rise at Bison corral (photographed) is at 38.28259°N 85.12697°W / 38.28259; -85.12697 (Buffalo corral). Intersection of driveway with Cropper Rd., location from which Google Streetview is available: 38.28480°N 85.12766°W / 38.28480; -85.12766 (Cropper Road). Supposed location of Bird Octagonal Mule Barn: 38.28773°N 85.12725°W / 38.28773; -85.12725 (Supposed location of Bird Octagonal Mule Barn), which has also apparently disappeared.

Locations may be seen together in Map of all coordinates: OpenStreetMap (clickable link available to the right of this page).

Its NRHP listing followed a 1986–1987 study of the historic resources of Shelby County.[4] It is located within study area for routing of a new highway connecting Interstate 65 and Interstate 71 avoiding Louisville.[5]

• 
  View of cylinder with a barn and a house beyond
• 
  Bison pen

See also

• Philomen Bird House, also owned by Philomen Bird and NRHP-listed

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
2. C. Worsham (March 1986). "Kentucky Historic Resources Inventory: Bird's Nest". NARA. Retrieved August 20, 2022. Includes four photos.
3. Site visit, 2022, with photos.
4. Gibson Worsham; Charlotte Worsham; Christine Amos (January 1987). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Historic Resources of Shelby County outside Shelbyville. NARA. Retrieved August 20, 2022. (417 pages. Downloading may be slow.)
5. Environmental Overview / 65-71 Regional Connector / KYTC Item 5-564.00 / Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Nelson, Shelby, Spencer, & Oldham Counties (PDF). May 2, 2019. And final report is at HDR; Palmer Engineering; HMB Professional Engineers, Inc.; Integrated Engineering; CRA Associates, Inc.; Corn Island Archaeology; Civil Design, Inc. (September 2020). 65-71 Regional Corridor Study / Final Report / Prepared for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Central Office, District 5 (PDF).

External links

• Media related to Bird's Nest site (Shelby County, Kentucky) at Wikimedia Commons