Newport expanded rapidly to become a center of trade, industry and culture, growing in tandem with its neighbor, Cincinnati, known in the 1800s as Queen City of The West. The advent of steam-powered riverboats in the 1800s accelerated the region's economic and cultural expansion, with early Cincinnati eclipsing Chicago (then still little more than an outpost) as one of the premiere cities of a young United States.
The Victorian era was Newport's most affluent period, as is evident by the East Row's elegant houses, which look much as they did more than 100 years ago. The establishment of the East Row was made possible when, motivated by Newport's rapid growth, the grandson of Gen. James Taylor decided to subdivide the family's estate as Taylor's Row Addition. The area became a favorite of wealthy business owners and merchants in the late 1800s.
A walk through the East Row's tree lined streets can transport you back to the late 19th Century. The neighborhood is a living display of distinct architectural styles -- such as Italianate, American Four Square and Queen Anne -- executed in eclectic and elegant fashion.
Influenced by a variety of socio-economic factors, Newport's economic focus in the mid 20th Century shifted to gambling and entertainment, as casinos, nightclubs and houses of ill-repute sprang up around town. Most of these businesses were operated or at least influenced by gangsters. Newport gained a national reputation as a wide-open city. At one point, it was common to see celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others walking along Newport's downtown streets.
When the establishment of Las Vegas drained the glitter from Newport's night life, the entertainment industry here assumed a decidedly seedy air. Alarmed by the city's rapid decline, community activists banded to reform Newport's corrupt city government and redirect the city's focus. Revitalization of the East Row was one of the first results of this new direction, as doctors, lawyers, artists and others -- including many longtime Newport residents -- began restoring the district's historic homes in the 1980s. To this day, pockets of historic homes available for rehabilitation can be found throughout East Row.
East Row Historic District is home to 1,070 homes and is Kentucky's second largest historic district. All buildings in East Row have the distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Energized in part by the East Row's success, Newport is experiencing a renaissance that has garnered national attention, including coverage by the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Just blocks away from East Row, the city's riverfront and northern business district are undergoing dramatic redevelopment, with Riverboat Row already a thriving riverfront district of restaurants and clubs. With the Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee,The World Peace Bell, and a long list of other projects in the works, this is one of the most exciting periods in Newport's history.
We welcome you to Newport and the East Row Historic District. We invite you to explore our past, and discover the unexpected preservation of stately mansions of a bygone era.
