At 1610 Griffith Avenue sits a more-than-a-century-old farmhouse with horse stables, unlike any other property on the block. On Thursday, Amy Whistle with Kurtz Auction and Realty will auction off the property that has been in the Stevenson family for many generations.
The auction will begin at 5 p.m. The home features a one-car garage, a barn with a loft, new central heat and air, and more. It’s two full stories with a basement and boasts five bedrooms with two full bathrooms, a formal room, a living room, a kitchen, a breakfast nook, and endless outdoor living possibilities. See the listing here.
The late Jane Latimer Stevenson’s Griffith Avenue home dates back to 1881 when her family erected it on what was then a family farm. And while Griffith Avenue has evolved drastically over the years, and business and pleasure often led her afar, Stevenson was always excited to return to Owensboro and her childhood home.
Stevenson followed her parents’ footsteps and attended Centre College, where she served on the board from 1974 to 2014, continuing as a trustee emeritus until her death. After college, she pursued a career in education, serving as a guidance counselor at Daviess County High School for 34 years.
Whistle will serve as the auctioneer and agent. Whistle previously said that even though she didn’t know Stevenson personally, she’s thoroughly enjoyed the journey and the opportunity.
“Since working on this auction, I have talked with many people that have commented that Ms. Stevenson completely changed the trajectory of their future because of her passion for education,” Whistle said. “It’s clear she was very interested in her students and made sure they knew they were important and tried to help them in any way possible to obtain a higher education.”
The home and the auction will tell a story, but not the complete one. While countless antiques and collectibles graced the home for many years, it’s the time Stevenson spent completing forms, submitting applications, and preparing others for social settings far beyond their comfort zone that most will remember her by.
“Since preparing for the auction, I’ve learned that Ms. Stevenson genuinely cared for people, loved her church and her alma mater, and was a very proud Kentuckian,” Whistle said. “She was a major part of the community, and I’ve worked as hard as I can to make her proud. She was extremely loved by her students and the community.”
Whistle orchestrated an antique collection and estate sale for the family in March, which featured paintings by Kentucky artist Harvey Joiner, old framed maps of Kentucky, and rare china. Whistle said many items had likely been in the residence since 1881. A 1968 Ford Galaxie and a 2006 Cadillac also highlighted the auction.
