The Amos, currently a new luxury apartment rehab of a 19th century historic building in the Historic Licking Riverside District of Covington, is among one the premier places to live in the neighborhood. It features five single bedroom apartments and a detached carriage house that serves as its own apartment, with on-site parking and a green space for residents.
“The Amos” was constructed in the 1870’s by Amos Shinkle for sale as a single-family residence in Park Place subdivision, now part of present day Licking Riverside Neighborhood. Park Place was a residential development venture with close business associate, J.D. Hearne, whose home stands nearby across the street at 500 Garrard Street. One of its early residences was a bank president, Mr. Wayne – some refer to this house as the “Wayne House.”
In 1856, Shinkle was a founding stockholder in the Covington and Cincinnati Bridge Company with his friend and business associate, Jonathan D. Hearne. This company financed construction of the “Roebling Suspension Bridge.” The bridge produced a large income for many years through the collection of one cent tolls and is widely regarded as the engineering model which made the Brooklyn Bridge project possible.
At the age of 18, Shinkle began working on a flatboat as a cook. This contact with river travel was a harbinger for great things to come. Amos Shinkle relocated to Covington in 1847, and he established a coal reloading dock for steamships plying the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. Shinkle also constructed and sold a number of steamboats during this era.
In 1814, John Gano, Richard Gano, and Thomas Carneal purchased 150 acres on the west side of the Licking River at its confluence with the Ohio River, referred to as "The Point," from Thomas Kennedy for $50,000, and began developing the area under the name, “The Covington Company.” It was named for their friend, an American officer who was killed in the War of 1812. The Amos stands within this original development area, which eventually became known as the city of Covington.
Kenton County Public Library - Covington Branch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QozZP3gltxI
To learn more about The Amos visit: https://www.createdbycurb.com/the-amos
Sources:
Covington at 200: Points of View © 2015 Batter Row Productions, Produced and Directed by Steve Oldfield & Sean Thomas.
Gateway City: Covington, Kentucky 1815-2015 © 2015 Clerisy Press, Edited by Paul A. Tenkotte, PhD; James C. Claypool, PhD; & David E. Schroder.
Kenton County Public Library’s Local History and Genealogy Department.
ePicture notes:
Amos Shinkle was born On August 11, 1818, in Brown County, Ohio. At the age of 18, Shinkle began working on a flatboat as a cook. Made his wealth in the steamboat transportation, banker, president of the Covington Cincinnati Bridge Company, and property developer.
A day in the life during Covington’s Roebling Bridge construction, as imagined by artist John Stobart. A signed print of this image hangs in the entry hall of The Amos.