James B. Beck Houses


E. High Street - Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built Abt. 1840

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

Elijah W. Craig, successful merchant of Lexington, a century ago, built this house known as the "Senator Beck Home."

He was the son of Rev. Joseph Craig, who settled at Craig's Station, near Crab Orchard, in 1782, and later in Woodford County. 

Elijah W. Craig (born September 25, 1779, died July 5, 1857) married Almira Grosvenor, December 25, 1821, and began his business career in Lexington. He owned most of the frontage here on High Street, extending back to Main Street, where he resided (on the south side opposite Dewees St.)

Senator James B. Beck in October, 1860, sold his country estate on the Nicholasville Road, purchased this "town house" from B.B. Harris, and removed here to spend the rest of his eventful career. When Lucy H. Harris bought the property in February, 1859, the deed said the house here was "now occupied by the Rev. John D. Matthews" (pastor of the First Presbyterian Church).


Nicholasville Road - Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built 1852

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

James B. Beck and his wife, Jane W.A. Beck, decided to move out into the country after living several years in their original High St. home, and bought 126 acres "on the waters of Wolf Run, on the North-west side of the Nicholasville Turnpike Road." James O. Harrison and Margaretta P., wife, in 1852 sold the Becks this acreage, for $11,381, out of a 142 acre tract James O. Harrison "of Warren Co., Miss.," had bought in 1838 from Dr. Joseph Scott, and which adjoined" Mrs. McKinney's.

Senator Beck must have built this house (now completely enveloped by modern sub-division) on his farm.  When he disposed of it in 1859 (moving back to town close to his former residence on High St.) the purchaser, Thompson B. Flourney, "of Arkansas", paid $18,000 for 73 acres only, "being the same tract on which" Mr. and Mrs. Beck "have resided for some years and which was purchased from Jas. O. Harrison."

The 73 acre farm, "on which Mrs. T.B. Flourney has resided for some years", was bought by Wm. Clark from T.B. Flourney's executor in 1863 at commissioner's sale for $16,550.

Clark added 43 acres to his tract ("on the waters of Wolf Run," purchased from Chas. Wheatley & wife, Nancy) which extended his frontage on the Pike to "Isaac Shelby" - formerly Mrs. McKinney - tract.

Upon Clark's death, his widow, Margaret E. Clark, sold the 116 acre property - "being the same tract sold by Jas. B. Beck to Thos. B. Flournoy" - to Dr. Levi Herr for $30,000. Dr. Herr was the leading trotting horse breeder and trainer of his day - he was the author of the data on the trotting horse industry in Perrins History of Fayette County. ...

Dr. Herr in his will directed that this farm be sold in two tracts, and E.D. Herr conveyed to J.W. Rodes for $35,000 "that tract (87 acres) known as the residence of the late L. Herr, near the city of Lexington."

Transcribed by pb October 2002

Updated December 13, 2025.