HISTORIC "DITTO HOUSE"
Built by slaves in 1841 out of bricks molded from clay taken out of
the back yard, this two-story home served as the area's first bank, a
stagecoach and railroad ticket office, a mercantile, a boarding house
and eventually in the early 1900's as a country inn run by Abraham
and Ella Ditto. It has been known as The Ditto House ever since and
was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1990's.
During the Civil War, General Sherman's headquarters was located two
doors down and his officers confiscated the house and used it as
their officer's mess. On a bluff overlooking the town of West Point
is Fort Duffield, the best preserved earthworks fort of the Civil
War. Both the fort and the town are the site of numerous reenactments
throughout the year.
In recent years, The Ditto House has been completely renovated using
authentic materials and color schemes of the Civil War era. It has
been the site of numerous period weddings, luncheons for tour groups
and clubs, and holiday parties. Presently, it is licensed and
operated as a Bed and Breakfast, as well as a Craft and Antique Shop.
The Ditto House is located in the heart of the Historic District of
West Point, which was also placed on the National Register in 1997.
The town also boasts other antique shops, craft shops, restaurants
and a country music hall which draws hundreds of people from the
surrounding areas to its weekly performances. The Veterans' Memorial
Park on the Ohio River makes an excellent site for family cookouts
and a perfect docking location for Ohio River traffic ranging from
pleasure boats to paddle wheel steamers.
All of this is located just 15 minutes South of Greater Louisville
(Chamber of Commerce), a growing vibrant community with includes
attractions such as Churchill Downs Race Track (home of the Kentucky
Derby), Kentucky Kingdom Amusement Park, and Hurricane Bay Water
Park. Also in Louisville can be found the University of Louisville
and several professional sports franchises. 15 minutes in the other
direction is world famous Fort Knox, a center for military training
and the site of the US Gold Vault.
A tour of The Ditto House brings you to the following rooms:
Entrance Hall: Elegant stairway graces the 35-foot long hallway which
also has entrances to the Parlor, Dining Room, and Kitchen.
Parlor: 6-foot high windows light the formal living area, which also
has a fireplace and hardwood floors.
Dining Room: Your antique furniture will be showcased in this
banquet-sized dining room. This room also has a fireplace and
hardwood floors.
Family Room: The fireplace and built-in cupboards in this room were
originally used as a kitchen for servants to prepare family meals in
the pre-Civil War period.
First Floor Bedroom and Full Bath: Perfect suite for several
purposes: Owner's quarters, mother-in-law suite, workout room, den,
or mobility-impaired guest suite.
Kitchen: Large galley kitchen has stainless steel preparation table
as well as the required stainless steel triple sink. Opens to the
Entrance Hall, Family Room, First Floor Bedroom Suite, Laundry Room
and Outdoor Herb Garden.
Upstairs bedrooms are grouped around a central hall which provides an
excellent traffic pattern.
Bedroom #1: Blue and beige floral wallpaper accented by blue area
rugs gives this large room a warm glow. This room also has the
original hardwood floors, a fireplace and two large windows
overlooking the front lawn.
Bedroom #2: Beautiful rose and green floral wall paper gives this
large room antique charm. In addition to the fireplace and hardwood
floors, this room with its queen-sized poster bed is the favorite of
honeymoon couples.
Bedroom #3: Smaller cozy bedroom painted and papered in Civil War
colors overlooks the front yard. With plenty of room for a double
bed, this room also has the original hardwood floors.
Bedroom #4: The original hand-cut ceiling timbers and fireplace with
built-in cupboards give charm to this large room which once was used
as servants' quarters.
Bedroom #5: Paneled and carpeted, this back bedroom has superb river
views and access to the first floor via the servants' staircase.
Back Lawn: Both levels of the terraced back lawn offer lovely views,
high above the beautiful Ohio River. Watch barges and river boats
cruise past against a backdrop of pristine wood lands.
FEATURES
Original wood fireplace mantles, bedroom floors, stair banister,
renovations throughout
Central heat and air conditioning, updated wiring
Authentic Civil War period herb and flower beds
Located 15 minutes from the south of Greater Louisville and north of
Fort Knox
City water & sewers
Beautiful view of Ohio River
PERSONAL PROPERTY: Furniture - Antique straight-back chair
with leather seat, antique library table with tablecloth, 18"
round table with red and lace tablecloths, Queen Anne oak loveseat
bench, antique Tiger Oak player piano, 28" round wood/metal
table with tablecloth and lace cover, ladderback rocking chair with
folk art painting, wooden rocking chair, 18"X 24"
occasional table with antique quilt square cover, cherry sofa table,
oak straight chair, Queen Anne loveseat with two matching pillows,
18" round table with tablecloth, cherry dining table, 102"
X44" custom table pads and tablecloth for cherry dining table, 5
misc. straight wooden chairs, wooden chair with arms, small 3-drawer
chest, glass-top wooden end table, 36" X 30" wooden table,
cherry rocking chair, white patio table with 4 stools, 72" X
30" stainless steel preparation table with drawer, wooden stool
with green legs, round table with blue tablecloth, white antique iron
double bed with mattress and box springs, loveseat, Princess dresser
with mirror, double bed headboard of white metal, large cherry
knockdown wardrobe, vanity, queen-size 4 poster cherry bed with new
mattress and box springs, nightstand, white dresser, wardrobe with
mirrored doors (keys attached), double bed, new mattress and box
springs, primitive vanity table, vanity stool, white metal daybed
with mattress, 4 drawer desk, upholstered chair, chaise lounge.
Accessories - 2 Oriental fringed rugs, 47" X 72",
Oriental fringed rug, 49" X 72", antique German lamp with
cut-out wooden shade, throw pillow made with antique quilt patch,
silk plant in wicker basket, winter scene painted on mirror with gold
frame, small ladder shelf with 6 wooden knick-knacks, fringed run,
92" X 132", large framed mirror, framed portraits of Mr.
and Mrs. George Taylor, Pastor of the West Point Methodist Church, 2
lamps with milkglass base, 2 glass oil lamps, 2 throw pillows,
fringed rug, 94" X 138", lamp with stained glass shade,
framed print of Ditto House Inn, fringed rug, 95" X 132",
lamp with Victorian figure base, picture of country porch scene,
throw pillow (watermelons), 30" X 48" oval green braided
rug, 27" X 60" rectangular rubber floor mat, antique,
gold-framed painting, 2 matching blue rugs, 94" X 130" and
47" X 68", milkglass bedroom lamp, standing mirror with
white frame, painting , British river scene, lamp with marble-filled
base and jar of marbles, 33" X 56" braided rug, bedroom
lamp with red base, fringed rug, 92" X 132", mirror with
gold frame, 2 paintings, 70" X 105" rug, 5' X 7' braided
rug, 95" X 134" rug, framed needlepoint duck, 2 throw
pillows, framed print, bedroom lamp, large nylon tri-color bunting,
fabric country doll with bear, doormat, mason jar with eucalyptus
arrangement, framed 1901 Ditto House advertisement, framed Cox's Inn
advertisement, table runner made of antique quilt patches, CD-wedding
songs, basket of antique thread spools, 13 jars filled with candy and
potpourri, 4 baskets with handles, china bowl with potpourri, china
potpourri burner, basket filled with local menus and brochures from
local tourist attractions, coal bucket with Country Living and Bed
& Breakfast magazines, china meat platter, plastic meat platter
and bowl., ceramic candlestick and small vase, 4 antique irons,
centerpiece-bowl, potpourri and candle, old wooden box with antique
quilt squares, wooden bowl with plastic liner, 12" deep basket,
2 scarecrow dolls, biscuit tin, green vase with dried flowers, berry
basket with artificial berries, small jar with 16 original nails from
the Ditto House, 3 round tin trays, 4 antique tins, 4 enamel-ware
pans and red trim, 4 baskets, 7 jars with pasta, peanuts or sugar,
tin pie plate with 4 pieces of artificial fruit, "ristras"
- hanging of dried chili peppers, Coca Cola tin advertisement, wax
pumpkin ornament with ribbon, 2 heart-shaped decorative boxes, 3
wooden cats and 1 set "welcome" blocks, stuffed bunny,
fireplace grate, dried flower swag, 4 small plastic trash cans, white
tissue box cover, bridal grapevine heart hanging, tissue box cover,
potpourri tin with lid, fireplace screen, decorative box, 5 hat
boxes, grapevine wreath with bird, 3 tins, pillar candle, 2 ceramic
boots, doll, dried flower swag, vase with candle.
Books: Lanier Complete Guide to Bed & Breakfasts, Inns
& Guesthouses, Book - The Civil War in Hardin County, Kentucky,
reproduction of 1861 Prayerbook, 7 cookbooks, 3 antique and modern
hymnbooks, 11 pre 1900 books.
Bath Accessories: Green shower curtain with lace overcurtain,
pink shower curtain with country lace-trimmed overcurtain, beige
toilet seat cover and rug , pink bathroom rug, white wicker tissue
box cover, antique wicker box cover, antique white tin medicine chest
with towel rack, 2 sets of jars with q-tips, cotton balls and makeup
sponges, tiny watering can and small basket with seed packets, tiny
lace doily, fabric mother cat with kittens on braided rug, 2 tiny
stenciled hangings, 4 shelf book shelf, plastic waste cans.
Linens: Blue/white quilt with pitchers, log cabin quilt in
shades of blue, pink pinwheel quilt, mauve bedspread, 7 bed pillows,
double bed dust ruffle, dresser scarves.
Miscellaneous: Reliable #10 1896 Star Foundry stove with
ceramic inserts, Covington, KY, Tappan automatic pilotless ignition
gas stove/oven, telephone and answering machine, fire extinguisher,
American Lawn Mower Company hand-pushed lawn mower, picnic table.
