Gratz Park Historic District
Encyclopedia
The Gratz Park is a neighborhood and historic district located just north of downtown Lexington, Kentucky
. It was 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. Gratz Park occupies a tract of land that was established in 1781 outside of the original boundaries of Lexington.
The Park was the original site of Transylvania College until the building was destroyed by fire in 1829. The Transylvania campus was moved across Third Street to its present location.
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.
The Gratz Park is bounded by West Third and West Second streets on the north and south, and by the buildings that line Mill and Market streets on the west and east. The park is open to the public. The Historic Christ Church Cathederal is located at the edge of the district at 166 Market Street. Several houses within the district that are open to the public.
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. It was 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
Hunt-Morgan House
The Hunt-Morgan House, historically known as Hopemont, is a Federal style residence in Lexington, Kentucky built in 1814 by John Wesley Hunt, the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. The house is included in the Gratz Park Historic District. The Alexander T...
, the Bodley-Bullock House, the Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library
Carnegie Library, Carnegie Public Library, Carnegie Free Library, Carnegie Free Public Library, Andrew Carnegie Library, Andrew Carnegie Free Library or Carnegie Library Building may refer to any of the following Carnegie libraries:- California :*Carnegie Library , listed on the National Register...
, and several other private residences. Gratz Park occupies a tract of land that was established in 1781 outside of the original boundaries of Lexington.
The Park was the original site of Transylvania College until the building was destroyed by fire in 1829. The Transylvania campus was moved across Third Street to its present location.
At the northern edge of the park is the "Fountain of Youth," built in memory of Lexington author James Lane Allen
James Lane Allen
James Lane Allen was an American novelist and short story writer whose work, including the novel A Kentucky Cardinal, often depicted the culture and dialects of his native Kentucky. His work is characteristic of the late-19th century local color era, when writers sought to capture the vernacular...
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.
The Gratz Park is bounded by West Third and West Second streets on the north and south, and by the buildings that line Mill and Market streets on the west and east. The park is open to the public. The Historic Christ Church Cathederal is located at the edge of the district at 166 Market Street. Several houses within the district that are open to the public.
Neighborhood statistics
- Population in 2000: 194
- Land area: 0.056 square mile (0.14503933416 km²)
- Population density: 3,494 per square mile (1,293.3/km²)
- Median household income: $22,233