DR. JAMES FISHBACK HOUSE

N. Broadway, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built 1838

Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.

John McMurtry, the architect, built the house but Dr. James Fishback, who bought it in 1838 and resided here until his death, evidently embellished it with the classical stone and iron-rail entrance from the sidewalk.

The miniature columns supporting the carved stone steps indicate that the entire structure was the work of the world-famous sculptor, Joel T. Hart, who had a studio at that time nearby on Second Street.

The iron railing was made by Thomas Bradley, who in later years stopped every day en route to his home to admire the steps. Lexington is fortunate in having this charming memento of a past day preserved to memorialize its famous builders and lend a touch of ante-bellum grandeur to one of its finest residential sections for many years.

In every other respect, the outward appearance of the house is the same as its neighbor, and both were built by McMurtry. The belated deed to Dr. Fishback came in 1842 from Patterson Bain, to whom McMurtry had mortgaged the "dwelling house and lot" a few years earlier, and called for $7,000 consideration. However, the 1838 Directory shows the residence here of "Rev. James Fishback, 30 N. Main Cross St. or Broadway.

Dr. Fishback, who died at an advanced age in 1845, was one of the early medical professors of Transylvania University (1805), became an able lawyer and was elected to the Kentucky Legislature in 1808, served as the first pastor of the Baptist Church (dedicated 1819) that stood on Mill St. opposite Gratz Park, and devoted most of his life to the ministry. He and Senator John Pope shortly after 1800 built and lived in a commodious house at the north-east corner of Short and Mill Streets which later became the bank of David A. Sayre and was succeeded by the Security Trust Building.

Dr. Fishback had married Susan Hart Shelby, daughter of Governor Isaac Shelby, when he moved into this house. His first wife was Dorothea D. Christian, a niece of Patrick Henry. He died here June 26, 1845, and in his will, in devising his house to his widow, commented that he had paid $7,000 for it and added $1,500 in improvements. He willed $50 and emancipation to any of his slaves "who desire to go to Liberia." At his request, he was buried near Pine Grove, in Clark County.

Mrs. Susan Hart Shelby Fishback resided here until her death, and in her will (probably January, 1868) made bequests to her brothers and sisters and their children, and directed that her "house on Broadway be sold to the best advantage as soon as convenient." Her administrator sold the house March 26, 1868, to Mrs. Elizabeth F. Scott.

Transcribed by pb November 2005