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Historic Structures
Montgomery County, KY.
The Joseph Simpson Cabin
The house located at 27 West High Street claims to be the oldest home in continual use in Mount
Sterling. It has been called the “Simpson” house, the “Venable” house, and the “Thompson” house at
various times. The original log home was built in 1797. In 1802, Joseph Simpson held the deed to the
property. In about 1810 a brick front portion was added and the original log cabin was used as the
kitchen. In the 1850’s the home was used as a boarding house.
In the 1990’s the Montgomery County Historical Society disassembled the log cabin and restored it on the rear of the lot using the original materials as much as possible.
Sterling. It has been called the “Simpson” house, the “Venable” house, and the “Thompson” house at
various times. The original log home was built in 1797. In 1802, Joseph Simpson held the deed to the
property. In about 1810 a brick front portion was added and the original log cabin was used as the
kitchen. In the 1850’s the home was used as a boarding house.
In the 1990’s the Montgomery County Historical Society disassembled the log cabin and restored it on the rear of the lot using the original materials as much as possible.
The Joseph Simpson Cabin
The house located at 27 West High Street claims to be the oldest home in continual use in Mount
Sterling. It has been called the “Simpson” house, the “Venable” house, and the “Thompson” house at
various times. The original log home was built in 1797. In 1802, Joseph Simpson held the deed to the
property. In about 1810 a brick front portion was added and the original log cabin was used as the
kitchen. In the 1850’s the home was used as a boarding house.
In the 1990’s the Montgomery County Historical Society disassembled the log cabin and restored it on the rear of the lot using the original materials as much as possible.
27 West High Street
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Sterling. It has been called the “Simpson” house, the “Venable” house, and the “Thompson” house at
various times. The original log home was built in 1797. In 1802, Joseph Simpson held the deed to the
property. In about 1810 a brick front portion was added and the original log cabin was used as the
kitchen. In the 1850’s the home was used as a boarding house.
In the 1990’s the Montgomery County Historical Society disassembled the log cabin and restored it on the rear of the lot using the original materials as much as possible.
27 West High Street
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
The Bell House
The Bell House was built in 1815 and occupied by William Bell, a hat maker. Mr. Bell was in business until
around 1820, making hats on the first floor while living on the second. It is presumed that Bell lived in
the house until he departed for Missouri before 1840. In 1884 the county bought the house and
adjoining lot for $2,625 to be used as the jail and jailor’s residence. It served this purpose for nearly 100
years.
By 1980 the Bell House was no longer being used as a jail and had fallen into disrepair. The Montgomery
County Historical Society acquired the home in 1988 and started restoring it. This project took almost
five years to complete and in 1994 a bronze plaque was added to the front wall denoting it as a
historical structure. The building has been rented by various businesses since then.
51 North Maysville
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
around 1820, making hats on the first floor while living on the second. It is presumed that Bell lived in
the house until he departed for Missouri before 1840. In 1884 the county bought the house and
adjoining lot for $2,625 to be used as the jail and jailor’s residence. It served this purpose for nearly 100
years.
By 1980 the Bell House was no longer being used as a jail and had fallen into disrepair. The Montgomery
County Historical Society acquired the home in 1988 and started restoring it. This project took almost
five years to complete and in 1994 a bronze plaque was added to the front wall denoting it as a
historical structure. The building has been rented by various businesses since then.
51 North Maysville
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
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