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Current views of the Goodloe
houses and Gratz Park, both located in the Gratz Park Historic
District Photographs by Eric Thomason, courtesy of
the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation |
The Gratz Park Historic District is one of the most beautiful areas
in downtown Lexington, comprised of a city park and several large
residences. In the words of Kentucky architectural historian Clay
Lancaster, "the park has charm, atmosphere, a sense of tranquility
and of history, and it provides an oasis of planting tucked into
the cityscape." Gratz Park occupies a tract of land that was established
in 1781 outside of the original boundaries of Lexington when the
town plat was prepared that year by order of the Virginia Assembly.
In 1793 the park was purchased by the Transylvania Seminary as the
site for its Lexington campus. In 1816 a large three-story structure
(see historic image below) was built in the center of the park to
serve as the main building for Transylvania Seminary. Designed by
Matthew Kennedy, Lexington's first architect, it was erected near
the center of campus. Following the destruction of that building
by fire in 1829, the Transylvania campus was moved across Third
Street to its present location. Only one building from this original
campus remains--the Old Kitchen Building.
Now, grand 19th-century townhouses built for Lexington's prominent
and wealthy characterize the district.
Once located in the center of Gratz Park, Transylvania
University's main building, erected in 1816, was destroyed by fire in 1829.
Historic engraving courtesy of Transylvania University Special Collections,
Lexington, KY | |
Gratz Park is named after early Lexington businessman Benjamin Gratz
whose home stands on the corner of Mill and New streets at the edge
of Gratz Park. The historic district consists of 16 buildings including
the Hunt-Morgan House, the Bodley-Bullock
House, the Carnegie Library, and several
other private residences. Typical of residences in the district
are the three consecutive row houses along Mill Street (239-247)
erected by Mrs. William Cassius Goodloe, widow
of a former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, around 1901. At the northern
edge of the park is the "Fountain of Youth," built in memory of
Lexington author James Lane Allen using proceeds willed to the city
by Allen. The park was deeded to the city of Lexington during the
mid-20th century and is still used as a public park today. It is
a wonderful place for a picnic or to examine the beauty of this
historic district.
The Gratz Park Historic District is bounded by West Third
and West Second sts. on the north and south, and by the buildings
that line Mill and Market sts. on the west and east. The park
is open to the public. Several houses within the district that
are open to the public are also included individually in this
itinerary. The park is admistered by the Lexington Parks and Recreation visit their website for more information. |