Botherum

Botherum was built for Madison C. Johnson in 1850^[2] or 1851^[3] (sources vary) by John McMurtry, a well-known architect and builder based in Lexington. The house was intended, in part, as a shrine to Johnson's late wife Sally Ann, a sister of Cassius Marcellus Clay who died giving birth in 1828.^[3]

Botherum
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
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Location	341 Madison Pl., Lexington, Kentucky
Coordinates	38°2′59″N 84°30′26″W
Area	10 acres (4.0 ha)
Built	1850
Architect	John McMurtry
Architectural style	Classical Revival
Part of	Woodward Heights Neighborhood Historic District (ID80001525[1])
NRHP reference No.	73000795[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	March 7, 1973
Designated CP	December 1, 1980

Although McMurtry was known for his Gothic Revival architecture, and is credited with establishing the popularity of that style in central Kentucky,^[4] Botherum shows an unusual combination of Greek, Roman, and Gothic architectural elements.^[3]

A large ginkgo tree that stands on the property is said to have been a gift to Johnson from Henry Clay. The original 36-acre estate faced High Street, but the house now sits on a 3/4 acre lot and is approached from Madison Place, to the side.^[3]

In 1886, Johnson's heirs sold the estate to J. C. Woodward, who subdivided much of it into Woodward Heights, selling the lots individually.^[5]

John Cavendish owned the house from 1983 until 2012, and in the mid-1980s he added a high stone wall that hides the single-story house from the street and a two-story guest house.^[3]

The home was featured in Southern Living magazine in 2017 and is described by Jon Carloftis.