Anderson-Smith House

Restored Civil War Era mansion now serving as a welcome center/rest area

Photos 

By Smallbones - Own work, Public Domain, Link

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Map 

Description 

The Anderson Mansion, as it was known when it was built, was constructed in the 1860s and remained in the family until 1903. It was sold to a family that remodeled the mansion significantly and named it Whitehaven. It was sold again to the mayor of Paducah and successful merchant, James P. Smith in 1908. He renamed it Bide-A-Wee and it remained in the Smith family until 1968.

Abandoned and unloved, the house was feared to be in the way of Interstate 24, but remained in place. Close to demolition because of vandalism and disrepair, the house was saved by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The property was extensively restored and remodeled to serve as the Kentucky Welcome Center and Rest Area.

The majestic house is the pride of Paducah and a welcome spot (pun intended) for travelers.

On the property is a pair of Kentucky Coffeetrees. The name is derived from the beans that were used to make coffee when the real article was not available. The trees are male and female and devoid of foliage for most of the year, although the bean pods hang on well into the fall.

National Register information 

Status

Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on March 1, 1984

Reference number

84001824

Architectural style

Late 19th and 20th Century Revival: Classical Revival

Area of significance

Architecture

Level of significance

Local

Evaluation criteria

C - Design/Construction

Property type

Building

Historic function

Single dwelling

Current function

Road-related

Period of significance

1850-1874

Significant year

1865

Number of properties

Contributing buildings: 3

Tags 

Update Log 

• November 24, 2017: Updated by J.R. Manning: Updated Status and Added Photos
• July 17, 2017: New photo from Bill Eichelberger

Sources 

• Bill Eichelberger - wallyum [at] hotmail [dot] com
• J.R. Manning - Lugnuts969 [at] gmail [dot] com
• National Register database - Reference number 84001824 (Search for documents)

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