Did you actually mean 15096 SR 854 and NOT 10596 as you specified? If you actually intended 15096 SR 854 here is my answer.
This is the large two story white house at the mouth of Black Leg Hollow directly across from the US Post Office at Rush. I do not know who lived in this house originally. But I do know a bit about the history of this house. This house, along with many others in Rush (most now torn down), were constructed by coal mining companies active in the area for decades (primarily 1880’s to late 1930’s). This large house was LIKELY built about 1880 (or so). It was LIKELY the residence of the mining operations superintendent, or other high placed mining company official, originally for the “Ashland Coal and Iron Railroad” (later the mining operations part of this company was moved to “Ashland Iron and Mining”). A mining superintendent named Sam Seaton lived in this house in 1920. An image on the “Williams Creek Basin” Website indicates a Superintendent “Heron” lived in either the house of interest, or possible the other house on the hill in the image (caption for photograph is not clear). This image is from about 1900.
I have also heard some nonsense regarding this house indicating it was somehow associated with slave owners, the underground railroad and other such outright goofiness. This house was definitely not even built until after the Civil War. There were few in the Rush area prior to the railroad coming there in 1871. The railroad dead ended at Rush for several years only going one way to Ashland KY.
A man named Oscar Stewart purchased the house and 1.67 acres (lot 92) in Feb of 1941 and lived there and had it until the 1960’s. Oscar Steward was the 1st private owner of the house. Arthur and Thelma Bates purchased the house from Oscar Stewart. The Bates’ had previously lived in the now dilapidated house on the hill to the left as you face this house, it was also another mining company constructed house LIKELY constructed at the same time as the house of interest. Thelma Bates had taught in area schools for over 40 years and was well known and beloved in the Rush community.
Lon,
This is good stuff. Appreciate your hard work and interest in our history!
Steve
Who lived in the house on st rt 854 originally? 10596 St Rt 854?
Did you actually mean 15096 SR 854 and NOT 10596 as you specified? If you actually intended 15096 SR 854 here is my answer.
This is the large two story white house at the mouth of Black Leg Hollow directly across from the US Post Office at Rush. I do not know who lived in this house originally. But I do know a bit about the history of this house. This house, along with many others in Rush (most now torn down), were constructed by coal mining companies active in the area for decades (primarily 1880’s to late 1930’s). This large house was LIKELY built about 1880 (or so). It was LIKELY the residence of the mining operations superintendent, or other high placed mining company official, originally for the “Ashland Coal and Iron Railroad” (later the mining operations part of this company was moved to “Ashland Iron and Mining”). A mining superintendent named Sam Seaton lived in this house in 1920. An image on the “Williams Creek Basin” Website indicates a Superintendent “Heron” lived in either the house of interest, or possible the other house on the hill in the image (caption for photograph is not clear). This image is from about 1900.
I have also heard some nonsense regarding this house indicating it was somehow associated with slave owners, the underground railroad and other such outright goofiness. This house was definitely not even built until after the Civil War. There were few in the Rush area prior to the railroad coming there in 1871. The railroad dead ended at Rush for several years only going one way to Ashland KY.
A man named Oscar Stewart purchased the house and 1.67 acres (lot 92) in Feb of 1941 and lived there and had it until the 1960’s. Oscar Steward was the 1st private owner of the house. Arthur and Thelma Bates purchased the house from Oscar Stewart. The Bates’ had previously lived in the now dilapidated house on the hill to the left as you face this house, it was also another mining company constructed house LIKELY constructed at the same time as the house of interest. Thelma Bates had taught in area schools for over 40 years and was well known and beloved in the Rush community.
Enjoy! Lon