Bell Court

About Bell Court

Bell Court is one of Lexington's smallest and most historic neighborhoods, tucked just southeast of downtown and bounded by Boonesboro Avenue to the northeast, Walton Avenue to the southeast, East Main Street to the southwest, and Forest and Delmar Avenues to the northwest. The neighborhood covers about 42.5 acres (roughly a tenth of a square mile) with around 444 residents and 157 contributing historic buildings. It is one of Lexington's most concentrated historic districts. The neighborhood developed around the Bell House, an 1846 Greek Revival home designed by Lexington architect Thomas Lewinski for David Sayre. The house was later purchased by Henry Bell, whose name the neighborhood took. In 1940 the City of Lexington bought the property, and it now anchors a public city park within the neighborhood. Bell Court was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated a Preserve America Community in 2006. I hope you like peanuts and peanut butter because you're definitely going to get your money's worth of free smells living here. Bell Court is right next to the Jif Peanut Butter factory at 767 East Third Street, which happens to be the largest peanut butter factory in the world. I can guarantee you'll smell it. I can smell the roasted peanuts way over on Newtown Pike. This isn't a bad thing. I like the smell. Bell Court has a long history of organized community advocacy. The Bell Court Neighborhood Association has existed in some form since 1962 and became a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit in 1992. Probably the most famous example of the neighborhood association's work happened in the 1980s and 1990s, when residents organized against a proposed drive-thru window at the McDonald's at 473 East Main Street, near the old Herald-Leader building. The neighborhood association sued. The case went to the Kentucky Supreme Court in 1985, which declined to review and effectively ended McDonald's drive-thru plans. McDonald's tried again in 1987 and 1997, and lost both times. Eventually McDonald's gave up and moved to Winchester Road. The building was later occupied by a Mexican restaurant, Cielito Lindo, before being demolished in 2011. The lot sits empty as a grassy field today. Bell Court's 157 contributing buildings span several historic styles. The earliest structures (including the Bell House) show Greek Revival and Italianate influences. Most homes built around the turn of the 20th century reflect Victorian and Queen Anne styles. Arts and Crafts style homes appear throughout the neighborhood as well. Together, these styles give Bell Court one of the most architecturally diverse small footprints in Lexington.

What's Nearby

Bell Court's location sandwiches (pun) you in between two great areas of restaurants and businesses, both a short walking distance. On one side you have National Avenue, which has Minton's (a brunch powerhouse), Mirror Twin Brewing (a local craft beer brewery, you Mos Def need to try their beers), and Eppings on Eastside (a well-known upscale farm-to-table restaurant). You're also within walking distance to a farmers market on that side that's open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 AM to noon. On the other side, the neighborhood is bordered by East Main Street, which connects you to downtown's restaurants, shops, and bars: Carson's, Jeff Ruby's, V at The Vine, Tony's, Tapster, Lex Live, and many others. I highly recommend Bigg Blue Martini if you make it that far. You'll be within walking distance. Read about my favorite drinks there in my best things to do in Lexington guide. Bell Court also offers direct access to the Legacy Trail, a 12-mile paved trail that connects downtown Lexington north toward the horse country. The trail entrance near Midland Avenue and Third Street is just outside the neighborhood. Town Branch Commons, another downtown trail system, is also walkable from Bell Court.

Annual Events

Bell Court itself doesn't host any signature annual events, but its location next to downtown puts several of Lexington's biggest annual celebrations within easy walking distance. These all happen downtown, not in the neighborhood, but Bell Court residents can walk to them. Alltech Lexington St. Patrick's Parade and Festival. A mid-March celebration with a colorful parade, Irish dancers, and local vendors that takes over downtown Main Street. Mayfest Arts Fair. Held annually in spring at Gratz Park (a longer walk through downtown but still walkable). Up to 100 artist vendors, live music, and family activities. Fourth of July Parade. Lexington's downtown parade steps off at noon on July 4 and travels down Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street. The starting point is right at Bell Court's edge, so residents can watch from the beginning of the route. A downtown festival at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza runs throughout the day, and the city's fireworks display goes up over downtown at 10 PM. Central Bank Thursday Night Live. A weekly summer concert and street party held downtown from April through October. Free music every Thursday night during the season. Halloween Festival and Thriller Parade. Lexington's biggest free Halloween party, held in late October on Main Street and at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza. The grand finale is a Thriller reenactment where hundreds of community members dressed as zombies recreate the Michael Jackson dance routine. The parade has been running for over 20 years and has been recognized by USA Today as a Top 10 Halloween Destination and by Oprah Magazine as one of the Top 25 Best Halloween Festivals in the U.S. Bring your costume.

Highlights

• National Register Historic District since 1980
• Preserve America Community
• 157 contributing historic buildings
• Walking distance to downtown Lexington
• Access to Legacy Trail