Botherum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Botherum
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
| Location | 341 Madison Pl., Lexington, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | John McMurtry |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Part of | Woodward Heights Neighborhood Historic District (ID80001525) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000795 |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1973 |
Botherum is a historic house in Lexington, Kentucky. It was built around 1850 or 1851 for Madison C. Johnson. A famous architect named John McMurtry designed and built it. The house was meant to be a special place to remember Johnson's wife, Sally Ann. She was the sister of a well-known politician, Cassius Marcellus Clay. Sadly, Sally Ann passed away in 1828.
A Unique Building
John McMurtry was known for building many homes in the Gothic Revival architecture style. This style became very popular in central Kentucky because of his work. However, Botherum is different. It mixes ideas from Greek, Roman, and Gothic building styles. This makes it a very unusual and special house.
The Famous Tree
There is a very large ginkgo tree on the property. People say that this tree was a gift to Madison C. Johnson from Henry Clay. Henry Clay was a very important American statesman. The original property was much larger, about 36 acres, and faced High Street. Today, the house sits on a smaller piece of land, about three-quarters of an acre. You can now reach it from Madison Place.
Changes Over Time
In 1886, Madison C. Johnson's family sold the property. A man named J. C. Woodward bought it. He divided most of the land into smaller pieces. This area became known as Woodward Heights. He then sold these smaller lots to different people.
Later, from 1983 to 2012, John Cavendish owned the house. In the mid-1980s, he added some new features. He built a tall stone wall that helps hide the single-story house from the street. He also added a two-story guest house.
