Stop 1.

Warfield Building
The Warfield building was originally built as offices for Dr.
Walter Warfield in about 1806. The lot he chose was open and
near other office buildings in Jordans Row.
One architectural detail noticeable when up close to the
building is the pattern in which the bricks are laid, called
Flemish bond. This was not only a stylistic pattern however, as
it also strengthened the walls. Also visible is a small portion of
the original stone water table to the left of the stoop, which
originally was used to divert rainwater away from the
buildings walls. Rainwater was problematic for older buildings;
if water seeped into the foundation or walls it could wreak
havoc on the entire structure. Another architectural detail is
the flat arches made of brick above the second story windows.
The Warfield building underwent many changes over time,
both additions and subtractions. The original structure had
more windows, and a much longer face on the North Upper
Street side. Part of the building was sold and torn down
sometime after 1885.
Presently, the Warfield building is used to house a small
restaurant, the Lexington Diner.
2. The McClelland Building
The McClelland Building began life with only 5 stories, in 1899.
In 1905, the two top stories, clearly separated, were added. It
originally was used as a bank building, as it is still used today.
The building was erected in a Beaux Arts style, popular in the
19th century. The building displays two cornices, unusual in this
style of building. Of course, the second smaller one was an
afterthought, added in 1905 when the two top stories were
added to the building. Thiiis building, like the Warfield Building,
also employs flat arches above windows. A divergence from the
classic French style of flat arch, the angle of the layers of bricks
gets flatter and flatter as they move away from the keystone.
The choice of brick for the building is also interesting. The brick
used is known as Roman brick, and is much flatter and longer
than the brick we commonly know today. On the corners of the
building, bricks are laid proud of the rest of the wall, giving the
building more three dimensionality.
In the late 1970s or early 1980s, the building was remodeled.
The former large glass windows on the Short Street and North
Upper Street sides were removed and replaced with granite
panels.
Currently, the building is still used for banking, but also houses other offices and Shortys Market.

3. Old Courthouse
Construction was completed on the old courthouse building
in 1900, when it began use as, you guessed it, a courthouse.
The courthouse was located offset from the town square to
allow room for the Cheapside market on the west.
The building was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque
style. Symbolism runs throughout the design of the building,
representing iconic American values such as liberty, justice,
and equality. Statues and engravings of Lady Justice and
balances are prevalent. Inspired by the democracy of ancient
Rome, the architectural design incorporates columns,
porticos, domes, and arches.
The building went largely unchanged until recently in 2002
when renovations began to convert the now-unused
courthouse into the Lexington History Museum, which it
houses today.

4. Guaranty Bank & Trust Building

This building began life in 1924 and housed commercial

offices throughout. The reason behind its exact location
is unknown, but one can assume that the owners
wanted to build a building, and there happened to be an
unused lot at 201 West Short Street upon which they
could merrily do so.
The building is finished in a Beaux Arts style with subtle
Art Deco details, a style that was becoming very popular
in the 1920s. Most prevalent in the design of this
building are the four large stone arches on the Short
Street side and the six arches on the North Upper side.
These arches offer a striking and sophisticated entrance
to the building. Shown in the picture, above the two
center arches are three shallow brick pillars called
pilasters which sit atop plinths at the base. Inset in the
plinths are diamond shaped stones, a subtle reference
to the Art Deco style mentioned earlier. At the top of
the building, ornamental stone anthemions lend some
elegance to the building and reflect the Beaux Arts style.
Over time the name of the building changed as the
companies which owned the building went in and out of
business. It was remodeled in the 1970s and now houses professional offices.

5. Old First National Building

The Old First National building was built in 1894 and 1895. The
building stands out thanks to its small size and ridiculous
arches, columns, and pediments. The first floor section features
a large Roman archway with built-in windows. Above that,
covering the second and third floors, are two tall Corintian style
columns. At the top of the building there is a large central
cornice resting above the two pillars. The combination of these
three elements is striking and interesting, drawing the eye up
and making the little building seem much bigger. The building
appears to be largely unchanged, but now houses a small store.

6. Northern Bank Building

The Northern Bank Building was built in 1889 and
housed shops and offices.
Architecturally, much of the original allure of the
building is missing. What remain however, are some
interesting architectural details. Two of the original
pavilions on the Short Street side still stand, set off from
the rest of the building by light colored pilasters, topped
by an arch. These draw the eye up, making the long
horizontal building much more visually interesting.
Pilasters are a key feature on this building. The second
story pilasters are supported on the bottom by a cornice
which wraps around the building just above the first
floor. Ornamental details such as rosettes beneath the
arches show the detail and thought given by the
architects and masons.
In 1962 the original building was significantly altered.
The corner roof turret was removed and a chunk of the
Market Street wing was demolished. Today it houses a
bar/restaurant.

7. Loughridge Building
The Loughridge Building was constructed in 1895.
Because the Cheapside square lots were so narrow, the
building is only two windows wide. The architecture is
mainly Victorian, with some suggestions of Queen Anne
styling. The Queen Anne styling is mostly suggested by a
prominent feature of the building, its two-story corner
turret and bay window arrangement. Another one of the
buildings most prominent architectural features is its
chimney. The chimney emerges from the Short Street
wall. At the bottom, the chimney takes the shape of a
staircase. Further up, there are three inlaid panels
adding detail to the chimney. On each side of the
chimney are two complementary pilasters. These add
symmetry to the side of the building.
The Loughridge Building is currently occupied by the
small Cheapside Bar.

8. Payne Building
The Payne Building was erected in 1892 and was originally
occupied by a plumbing store. By 1920, a dentist occupied the
first floor and a druggist occupied the second. The building
was meant to be a low-cost generic building for businesses
such as these, to occupy lots that were too small for bigger
buildings. The building does not have elaborate architectural
elements, but it does employ pilasters on either side of the
windows from the second to the third floor. Atop the pilasters
sit raised square brick caps. Above these caps sit triangular
stone accents. At the very top of the building there is a
cornice, characteristic of the generic Victorian styling of the
time.
The building has been changed little over the time, and is now
occupied by an insurance business on the bottom floor and
lofts in the two upper stories.

9. Second National Bank

The Second National Bank building is
relatively new, built after 1956. The
building was styled in thee Neo-Classical
architectural style which was popular in
larger public buildings of the time such
as the National Gallery and the Lincoln
Memorial. The style is shown here by
the large blank panels and minimal
ornamentation. The most prominent
features are the two plain pilasters on
either side of the front entrance. The
pilasters are topped with a simple
capital and stone molding. Externally,
the building has undergone few changes
and is currently occupied by the Wildcat
Saloon.

10. Robert Todd Building

The Robert Todd Building is another simple commercial building,
this time in Federal style. The building was built when Robert Todd
started a business selling groceries here in 1817. In the 1930s the
building was remodeled and received the new faade we see
today. Above the windows we can see flat French arches with no
keystone. At the top of the building, we see a stepped parapet
rather than an elaborate cornice. The door surround is a key
feature, which consists of wood paneling carved and painted to
resemble cast iron. These features are common components of
Arts & Crafts style buildings and show the cost saving techniques
used. Since the renovation in 1930 little has changed and the
building currently houses the Bluegrass Tavern on the first floor
and loft spaces on the second and third floors.

11. Fayette Safety Vault and Trust

The Fayette Safety Vault was built in 1890-1891. Its a prime
example of Victorian and Beaux Arts style. Clearly, the faade of
the building is extremely ornate and required extreme skill to
create. Two elaborate pilasters separate the building
horizontally, while two stone belt courses above the first and
second stories separate the building vertically. An interesting
addition, the first story is asymmetrical compared to the second
and third stories, perhaps to add to the contrast between the
floors and increase interest.
The exterior has not changed much over the years, but on the
inside it has been occupied by many different businesses. Today
it is occupied by the Centro bar.

12. Lexington City National Bank Building

The Lexington City National Bank Building is a grand
8-story Beaux Arts building constructed in 1905 at
one of the most important intersections in Lexington
at the time. By the name, we can tell that it was
originally built as a bank.
This building uses decorative terra cotta as an
architectural component, marking the transition from
expensive cut stone to cheaper materials. The
pilasters on the exterior may cover steel beams used
for support at those locations and have recessed
joints for a more rustic look. Despite the cheaper
material, the building still contains ample detail such
as the Vitruvian wave pattern above the second story
windows. Externally, the building has changed very
little, but the occupants have varied widely over the
years. Currently the building houses Stagger Inn and
offices on the upper floors.

13. Security Trust Building

The Security Trust Building was built to house bankers
in 1905. The building was constructed in a subdued
Beaux Arts style.
The first floor exhibits pilasters separating doorways
and windows. These architectural features are
important because they not only are decorative but
they also house steel beams which provide the actual
support for the large building. The brick pillars are
separated by a layer of inlaid bricks which help to
break up the flat panel and add to the rustic
appearance so popular with Beaux Arts. The building
does not rely heavily on ornamentation, which above
the second story is pretty much confined to a small
strip around the windows.
In 1927 a small addition was built on the rear wall of
the building. Today we can see a cableway extending
to cellphone towers from the sidewalk to the roof.
Now the building still occupied by the security trust
company and has vacant office space available for
rent.