Monthly Archive: April 2023

Historic Aetna Gas Station – Middletown – Kentucky

Historic Aetna Gas Station - Middletown - Kentucky

This was Middletown’s (a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky) first gas station, built in the late 1920’s by I.W. Quesenberry. The gas station sold Aetna Oil Company gas, and other products, and includes a Deem gas pump. The gas station’s original life was pretty short. As the construction of U.S. 60 (Shelbyville Road) to the north in 1936, diverted away much of the traffic that would have used the station. In the intervening years, the station was used by drying cleaning business, and a taxi cab service. In 1996 the building was donated to the city, and a federal grant was used to restore it back to its original purpose.

Country Road and Stone Wall – Shakertown, Kentucky

Country Road and Stone Wall - Shakertown, Kentucky

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Pleasant Hill, Kentucky also known as Shakertown, was a Shaker (the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing) religious community from 1805 to 1910. With many well-preserved buildings, the village was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

The Kentucky Shaker village was founded by three New England Shaker missionaries, John Meacham, Benjamin Seth Youngs, and Issachar Bates. They founded the community around the teachings of Mother Ann Lee who believed in celibacy. Kentucky’s Shaker community ultimately died out, in part because of their beliefs in celibacy, problems encountered during and after the Civil War, and a declining interest in their way of life by potential converts . But their legacy of hard work, and fine craftsmanship lives on at Pleasant Hill.

Salt Lake City Masonic Temple Sphinx – Utah

Salt Lake City Masonic Temple Sphinx - Utah

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Salt Lake City Masonic Temple Sphinx, with a marble globe of the world between its feet. The Temple is the Masonic headquarters for Utah, and is an example of Egyptian Revival Architecture. It was completed in 1927, and is located in the South Temple Historic District of Salt Lake City, Utah.