By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
At the corner of the square in downtown Glasgow, where South Green Street intersects with Washington Street, stands an old, unused building painted a bright shade of red and yellow that the National Trust for Historic Preservation calls one of “the most architecturally significant structures in Glasgow.” The word “Morris” engraved in yellow above the upstairs window stands as testament to the original builder, Emmanuel Morris. For decades this building has remained vacant, slowly falling into disrepair.
Like many buildings that ring the Square, the Morris building is getting restored and rejuvenated.
According to the property deed, kept at the Barren County Clerk’s office, the 0.117 acre building was sold by R. J. Fetsch Properties to Zatt Properties for $87,000 on Feb. 16, 2023. According to the Kentucky Secretary of State website, Zatt properties has nine agents listed including Mavis Smith, who owned Madison-Smith Machine & Tool Company off Happy Valley Road.
Michael “Mike” Darnell, a member of Zatt Properties, is listed as the signing agent on the property deed. He said until now Zatt had mostly dealt in industrial properties but had been “casually” looking to buy a building on the Square, especially an old building.
“We like to see old buildings not be torn down or fall down,” Darnell said. “They’re treasures. They’re expensive to restore, but they become assets to the community.”
He said the building was in desperate need of repair when they purchased it.
Interior of the old Morris Dry Goods building on the Square in downtown Glasgow. Darnell said the boards and the roof would have to be replaced due to water damage. Photos by Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1
“It was in bad shape,” Darnell said. “We hate to see them go into disrepair and be neglected. When we saw this for sale we decided to buy it and see what we could do. The whole crew is excited about it.”
He said they knew the building was in “bad shape” even before they bought it because it had been condemned for a long time prior.
The main issue currently, Darnell said, is the roof that has been leaking and letting water erode the wood and the bricks.
“The roof has been leaking badly for a long time,” Darnell said. “There’s water that pools on the roof and overtime it degrades the wood, brick and all kinds of things.”
“It’s a slow process but we’ll get there,” Darnell added.
Currently, Zatt Properties is working on demolition, removing debris and unsalvageable items, and structural analysis in preparation of interior restoration and repairs.
Darnell said they hope to have the roof replaced within the next few months.
“Hopefully we’ll have the roof complete, sealed up and let it get dry for a change in three months,” Darnell said. “Then, after that, we’ll probably take a small step back and make sure which direction we want to go because at that point you start making decisions that affect the inside.”
The original building had a corner entrance that has since been altered. Darnell said one of the options being discussed was to restore the corner entrance in an effort to make the building “even more unique” though it is still too early in the process to give specifics.
All-in-all, Darnell said the entire restoration process will likely take roughly two years to complete. After that, he said, they will either lease the whole building out or will divide up the space into two separate spaces. The back area of the building could have its own door facing South Green Street.
Darnell said he hopes with the momentum of the Square that some local business will go into the Morris building.
“I think town squares are important to communities,” Darnell said. “I used to travel a lot, I’ve seen town squares dry up.”
Darnell added, he is happy to be able to restore a building that has such a lengthy and storied history in Glasgow.
Photo showing the original facade of the building. Darnell said he hoped to return the building to its original look. Photo courtesy of Michael “Mike” Darnell.
According to research done by Sam Terry, Morris was one of the numerous Jewish merchants in Glasgow, and Morris became very active in the Barren County Fiscal Court, eventually serving as its chairman. His second wife, as presidential hopeful William Jennings Bryan called her, was “Glasgow’s Angel” for her nursing assistance. Morris’ grandson, Arthur Krock, became the “Dean of Washington Newsmen,” winning numerous Pulitzer Prizes for journalism and interviewing 11 presidents.
The building’s history is just as interesting and exciting as Morris’ own. Built in “the last quarter” of the 19th century, itwas a dry goods store. In the 20th century it housed “a variety of businesses” most notably Everybody’s Store, a kind of discount clothing store.
The building also housed J. W. & Sons Men’s Store and Benjamin’s, owned by the Slinker family.
Photo showing the original entrance to the building. Originally it was located on the corner of South Green Street. Darnell said the entrance was changed to include display windows. Photo courtesy of Michael “Mike” Darnell
Terry said that was the last “active” business at that location, which was in the 1970s.
Though, Terry and Darnell agree, probably the most unique aspect of the Morris building is the front facade. It was made by the Mesker Company out of Evansville. The Mesker engraving can still be noticed on the front of the building.
“They were galvanized sheet metal that was then molded into all these intricate designs,” Terry said. “The company had plants in Evansville, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri, and their storefronts are famous all over the United States.”
In the end, Darnell said, the restoration will take multiple years “to do the right way,” but he is happy to see the building get a new life. He said they have already had people that asked to be made aware when Zatt’s restoration is completed.
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