Floral Hall (a.k.a. Standardbred Stable of Memories) - Lexington, KY
N 38° 02.449 W 084° 31.049
16S E 717854 N 4213253
Floral Hall is located near the Red Mile Harness Racing Track in Lexington, KY. It was built in 1882 by John McMurtry.The building was originally an exhibition hall for floral displays on what was then the Fair Grounds of the KY Ag. & Mech. Assoc..
Waymark Code: WM230N
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 08/26/2007
Views: 51
This unique octagonal building was built in 1879 as an exhibit hall for flowers when the Red Mile Harness Track site was a fairground, and later served as a horse barn. It is now used for special events.
John McMurtry built Floral Hall in 1882. The building was originally an exhibition hall for floral displays on what was then the Fair Grounds of the Kentucky Agricultural & Mechanical Association. The large, brick octagonal shaped building is approximately four stories tall surmounted by a large windowed cupola. The interior of the building is a large open space, a functional design for use as an exhibition hall.
During the Civil War the site was used as a military campground. Beginning in 1875, the Fair Grounds and Floral Hall were leased for race meets by the Trotting Association, which eventually evolved into the Red Mile Trotting Track. In 1896, the Trotting Association purchased the fair grounds and the exhibition hall was converted into a horse barn. In 1963, after a renovation, the name of the building was changed from Floral Hall to the Standardbred Stable of Memories. Although not currently open to the public, there are plans that the Standardbred Stable of Memories would be opened as a museum.
Street address:
1200 Red Mile Road
Lexington, KY United States
40504
County / Borough / Parish: Fayette
Year listed: 1977
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Agriculture/Subsistence, Recreation And Culture
Current function: Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.