The rise of traffic on the river during the nineteenth century prompted the federal government to establish the Headquarters for Green River Navigation at Woodbury, Kentucky. The presence of the government became more prominent in the early years of the 20th century when an impressive set of buildings was constructed on the bluff overlooking the river. The U.S. Government Corps of Engineers began construction on the Superintendent’s Office on September 25, 1911. Because of bad weather that winter, work was suspended until April of the following year. Occupied for the first time on June 10, 1912, the project cost the government $3,707.79. The Office’s first occupants were W. S. Overstreet, superintendent, and clerks J. C. Stinson and L. J. Hines, Sr.
Government restructuring in the 1930s made the Office unnecessary so the building was converted into a residence for government employees. A kitchen and a bathroom were added at this time. Other changes were made over the years to accommodate the needs of the building’s occupants.
The Superintendent’s Residence was completed in 1913 and soon occupied by its first residents, the W. S. Overstreet family. James W. and Fanny Burch and their family were the house’s second residents and other families followed for the next 50 or more years. The property also boasted a brick smoke house and outhouse, and several frame dependencies. Government restructuring in the 1930s made the Office unnecessary so the building was converted into a residence for government employees. A kitchen and a bathroom were added at this time. Other changes were made over the years to accommodate the needs of the building’s occupants.