09/02/2026
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π 1515 Madison Avenue, Covington, Kentucky
When buildings are packed together along a busy city street, it can be easy to overlook just how impressive some of Covingtonβs old homes really are. Imagine this same house sitting by itself with several acres of land around it. Youβd probably look at it completely differently.
According to the National Register documentation for the historic district, this imposing Queen Anne home was built in the 1880s by Jacob Weller, a wealthy merchant and land investor. At another point in its history it was also home to Wallace Stewart, one of Covingtonβs prominent businessmen associated with Stewart Iron Works.
Even in its current condition, you can still see just how grand this place was. The big porch, bay windows, asymmetrical design and corner tower are all still there.
Eventually the mansion took on a much different life as the Colonial Inn motel. By its later years, the Colonial Inn had developed a notorious reputation for crime and frequent police activity. It even appeared during filming of the television show COPS in Covington.
After years of problems at the property, an agreement was reached that required the Colonial Inn to be offered for sale and, if it wasnβt sold by the deadline, to give up its business license. The motel ultimately closed in 2015. The City of Covington purchased the property for $250,000 the following year.
Thankfully, they didnβt tear it down.
Today the old mansion is getting another chance. The Covington Academy of Heritage Trades is using 1515 Madison as a real life classroom, where students learn the specialized skills needed to restore historic buildings while actually helping restore this one.
Thereβs something pretty fitting about that. A mansion from the 1800s that could have easily been lost is now being used to teach a new generation how to save buildings just like it.
Next time youβre driving down Madison Avenue, take a second look at this one. Try to picture it without everything crowded around it and imagine what this place must have looked like in its prime.
I really hope theyβre able to fully restore this gem.
Has this house ever caught your eye?
