Carneal House
Encyclopedia
The Carneal House is located at 405 East Second Street in Covington, Kentucky
. Commonly believed to be Covington's oldest surviving structure, the home was begun in the year 1815 by Thomas D. Carneal, one of the founders of the city of Covington. Carneal House is a two-story brick home with arched windows, built in an Italianate-Federalist style and somewhat influenced by late-Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio
. Among noted visitors to the home was Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette, who paid a call during his final American tour of 1824-1825.
After the death of Mr. Carneal, the home was purchased by William Wright Southgate
, a Congressman from Northern Kentucky
who circa 1835 added the large west wing as residence for his extended family of thirteen children, in-laws, and household retainers. The home is presently part of Covington's prestigious Licking-Riverside Historic District, and in recent years has operated as a private residence, as well as a commercial bed and breakfast.
Locally famous for the supposed preternatural activity within the mansion's noted pink brick walls, Carneal House is said to be possessed by the spirit of "the Lady in Gray," identified according to folklore as a young woman who hanged herself on the grounds in Antebellum times, often described as motivated by a personal rejection at the hands of the visiting Marquis de Lafayette. Historians have been unable to verify either the story of the suicide or the paranormal happenings attributed to the resident ghost.
Covington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
. Commonly believed to be Covington's oldest surviving structure, the home was begun in the year 1815 by Thomas D. Carneal, one of the founders of the city of Covington. Carneal House is a two-story brick home with arched windows, built in an Italianate-Federalist style and somewhat influenced by late-Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio
Andrea Palladio
Andrea Palladio was an architect active in the Republic of Venice. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, primarily by Vitruvius, is widely considered the most influential individual in the history of Western architecture...
. Among noted visitors to the home was Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette, who paid a call during his final American tour of 1824-1825.
After the death of Mr. Carneal, the home was purchased by William Wright Southgate
William Wright Southgate
William Wright Southgate was born November 27, 1800, in Newport, Kentucky. He was the son of Richard Southgate and Ann Winston Hinde. William married Adaliza Keene of Lexington, Ky...
, a Congressman from Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky is the name often given to the northernmost counties in Kentucky...
who circa 1835 added the large west wing as residence for his extended family of thirteen children, in-laws, and household retainers. The home is presently part of Covington's prestigious Licking-Riverside Historic District, and in recent years has operated as a private residence, as well as a commercial bed and breakfast.
Locally famous for the supposed preternatural activity within the mansion's noted pink brick walls, Carneal House is said to be possessed by the spirit of "the Lady in Gray," identified according to folklore as a young woman who hanged herself on the grounds in Antebellum times, often described as motivated by a personal rejection at the hands of the visiting Marquis de Lafayette. Historians have been unable to verify either the story of the suicide or the paranormal happenings attributed to the resident ghost.
