John Clarke House
551 S. Upper Street, built 1819
John Clarke purchased of Megowan and Chipley—deeded in October, 1819—three lots, Nos. 5, 6 and 7. The frontage began 140 feet from the corner of Upper and Cedar Streets “near the old Steam Mill” and extended south 105 feet.
The 1818 Directory shows “John Clarke, House Joiner, Upper St.,” but evidently refers to the North Upper Street house where he was living in 1838. As he seems to have rented this red brick cottage, the names of the occupants are not readily available.
In December, 1840, the City Collector put up John Clarke's property to pay street improvements. It was bought “by Mayor Chas. H. Wickliffe,” who must have been his friend and turned back to him, as there is no deed for it.
Adjoining deeds refer to “John Clarke's property” for many years, but did not disclose names of occupants.
The external appearance of the house gives every evidence of having been built when Clarke purchased the lots.
Source: Dunn, C. Frank. Old Houses of Lexington. Lexington Public Library, 1976.
Transcribed by P. Brinegar, May 2004.
Updated January 1, 2026.