Midway Historic Architectural Details

	101‐105 East Main ‐ The Rau Building Midway City Hall / Henry Graddy, Attorney / Breckenridge David Lehman, builder of many homes and churches in Midway, constructed this building in 1882 for Mr. William E. Rau, who came to Midway from Wurtersberg, Germany. The iron front of the first level, manufactured by F. W. Merz Co. of Louisville, is unaltered. Iron components include hoodmolds for second‐story windows and a distinctive entablature.
	Left - 115 East Main formerly Delacour & Thayer Antiques Circa 1895, John Wise had this brick building erected for use as a dry goods and clothing store. Cast iron pilasters and a fascia between levels survive, as do hoodmolds above the three windows of the second floor. The attic is pierced by three quatrefoils, flanked by brackets supporting a wooden cornice.
	Right - 117 East Main - 2 details Eqwine Said to have been built as a bank, this rather small edifice is sandwiched between higher buildings, yet holds its own through the use of over‐scaled detail. The Post Office was located here between 1908 and 1915.

	141 East Main Farmers & Miners Bank / Devant Lathan Bloodstock Built prior to 1877, this two‐story brick building housed a saloon from at least 1886 until the early 1900’s. Coupled brackets support a wooden fascia between stories. Two rectangular windows with Italianate arches pierce the second floor above. The building is skewed so the front and side are parallel to the railroad tracks and the side street.
	136 – 140 East Main – International Order of Odd Fellows Celtic Trends / Freedman’s / The Back Room Built in 1882, the Odd Fellows Building serves as a landmark of Midway’s downtown. Originally a two‐and‐one‐half story, 6‐bay building of brick construction, the first floor was intended to house stores and the second floor a meeting hall. A decade later saw the addition of a lower section on the west, with a conical topped turret taking advantage of the corner location. A cast iron street front spanning the entire main façade was installed in 1914 and a clock tower added (which burned in 1996). All phases of construction were carried out by David Lehman and Sons. The western addition was the location of the Post Office until shortly after 1900. After its relocation, a bank occupied this section and the first level has housed many businesses. Although the building’s main façade has been covered with siding, the fenestral arrangement has been unaltered and the cast iron street front is intact.
	124 East Main - Historic Midway Museum Store Erected in 1882 as The Central Saloon by Henry Baxter Russell, a former Union soldier, this two‐story building of pleasing proportions has changed little since 1882. Around 1915 the building was purchased by the Sons and Daughters of Relief, an African American social service organization. Windows of the second level have semicircular heads and corresponding brick hoodmolds and there are decorative brackets below the wooden cornice.
	108‐110 East Main Railroad Street Framing / Village Inn B&B Constructed circa 1910, this two‐and‐one‐half story frame building was used as a dry goods store and offices by D. Lehman and Sons. The double porch with turned posts and a second level balustrade appear to be original.
	100‐102 East Main – The Lane Building Midway Boutique / Le Cheval Bleu (upstairs) This two‐story, six‐bay brick building served as a warehouse for hemp and grain storage in 1850. F. L. Lane operated a grocery establishment here as early as 1877 and in 1924 it was one of nine grocery stores in town, operated by Henry Fisher until 1956. By 1928, the eastern half housed a tinning and welding shop.
	133 North Winter—Corner of Main and Winter - 2 details Kern Thoroughbred‐Tattersalls / Insideout Architects (upstairs) Erected in the late 1860’s as a bank, this building is constructed of brick laid in Flemish bond on the railroad side. Essentially unchanged, the building is a fine representation of the Italianate style of a business building in a small town. It served as City Hall for 60 years.
	113 North Winter – Porter House Built in 1840 for Thomas J. Iles, Midway’s first physician, this is a two‐and‐a‐half story, five‐bay Federal-mass building with Greek Revival openings and Flemish Bond on the front and right side. On the left side is the unusual Monk bond brick pattern. The handsome wrought‐iron railings and stone steps were added in 1905. From 1864 until 1901, it was used as an inn and tavern (the Porter House), then served as a home and office for three more doctors ‐ Dr. Benjamin F. Parrish (1901‐1915), Dr. W.E. Sleet (1915‐1920), and Dr. John Moore (since 1982).
	100 North Winter ‐ D. Lehman & Sons The present structure was built in 1909 to replace a previous frame building. Constructed of brick, this three‐bay building has been altered to accommodate display windows on the main facade's street level, and an attic has been added. Stone lintels are at the heads and sills of the sash windows, and there are corner pilasters and a continuous wooden cornice. Founded in 1854, D. Lehman & Sons is Midway's oldest continuously operated business. David Lehman is said to have built more dwelling houses in Midway than all other contractors combined, and the finer ones remain. He is also responsible for constructing Midway's finest commercial buildings—the International Order of Odd Fellows Building, the Rau Building, and the Masonic Building. He seemed equally prolific as a builder of churches.

The Midway Living History Committee always welcomes your participation!
Contact Committee Chair - Becky Moore (846-4237)