The 20 Oldest Homes in the United States
20. Locust Grove, also known as The Croghan Mansion, in Louisville, KY
Built between 1790 and 1792, Locust Grove served as the home of Major William Croghan, as well as his wife, the former Lucy Carter, who just happens to be the sister of William Clark of the William and Clark Expedition. The couple, along with their 8 children, called the mansion, which sits on 55 acres of farmland, home. To farm the land and take care of the home and the numerous outbuildings on the property, they required assistance of as many as 45 slaves at any given time. The two-story brick home includes four rooms on each floor, which served primarily as sitting rooms, bedrooms, and a study. The kitchen was built separately. Over the years, some of the most important names in American history visited the home, including Presidents Andrew Jackson and James Monroe. In 1878, the family sold the home, which remained a private residence until it was purchased by the state of Kentucky and Jefferson County in 1961. In 1986, the home was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, it is open to the public.
