825 Lee St Cabins History - Laserfiche WebLink

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cabins, still there, were made out of casings from cardox shells from the coal mines. (Cardox shells using compressed air were used to break up the coal as an alternative to using explosives.) It is believed that single miners, couples, and families all rented the cabins at different times over the years. Unfortunately, directories from the time period of the cabin rentals typically did not identify precise addresses for residents living in this neighborhood. The 1940 census listed some households in East Louisville in which the people were renters, but there is not a way to determine exactly who lived in what building. There may have been as many as eight small structures that Marjorie Downer owned and rented out on the property, creating a small community in a neighborhood already known for having been tight -knit. The 1949 Louisville director listed the "Louisville Cabins" as an entity with Marjorie Downer as the manager, and as noted above, the 1948 Assessor cards called it a "cottage camp." Though some outbuildings that were used for rentals still exist, these Lee Ave. cabins appear to be unique in that there were several of them rented out to different people over many years, and they are virtually unchanged today. It is believed that there is nothing similar to them elsewhere in Louisville. At an unknown date, the cabins became vacant. Downer passed away in 1985. In 1986, her property passed to her brother, Lowell Downer, who died in 1993. In 1993, it passed to John Downer as Trustee for the Lowell Downer Living Trust. John Downer is believed to be the nephew of Marjorie Downer and Lowell Downer. In 1994, John Downer sold the property with the cabins to Michael McAlpine. Later Ownership In 1997, Michael McAlpine transferred ownership of the parcel with the cabins to Sidecon LP. In 2009, Sidecon transferred ownership to 825 Lee LLC, which is the current owner of record. 2000 Architectural Survey Forms The Architectural Survey Forms for 801 Lee and 809 Lee, which are references to the two freestanding cabins with the current address of 825 Lee, give extensive descriptions and statements of significance for both cabins. The reports state, "These two cabins have had no additions, and no notable alterations, subsequent to their original construction." The 2000 reports are incorporated by reference into this report. (It should be noted that although the 2000 reports referred to Mrs. Marjorie Downer, she did not have a married name and is believed to have not married.) The preceding research is based on a review of relevant and available online County property records, census records, oral history interviews, Louisville directories, and Louisville Historical Museum maps, files, and obituary records. 8