Bardstown in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Chapeze House
1817
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 1, 2022
1. The Chapeze House Marker
Inscription.
This federal style brick house was probably built by Ben Chapeze (1787-1839), a respected Bardstown lawyer and son of Dr. Henry Chapeze (1759-1810) who had a log or frame office and residence in front of the surviving house by c. 1800. Dr. Chapeze had come to America in 1777 with Lafayette and served as a medical officer in the Continental Army during the Revolution. After the war he came to Bardstown to practice medicine for the remainder of his distinguished life. He was involved with the famous, Rowan-Chambers duel in 1801, by attending to the
mortally wounded Dr. Chambers after he was brought back to Bardstown from the duelling site south of town near the Beech Fork River crossing. The good doctor's son, attorney Ben Chapeze, was one of the
original members of the Pleiades Club, a famous debating society composed of some of the most famous lawyers in early Kentucky history. He also served two
terms in the state legislature and was charter board member of Nazareth College. His brick house has a striking design of unusual placement of windows and doors on the front made necessary by the older
logtrame section which stood out front against the sidewalk. Two fine mantels survive on the interior showing the skills of designer architect John Rogers and his partner, Alexander Moore, who hand-crafted
some of the finest woodwork in Bardstown, following work done for Bishop Flaget on St. Thomas Church, St. Joseph Cathedral and Spalding Hall of St. Joseph College.
In 1867 the two sons of attorney Ben Chapeze, Adam & Benjamin, founded the Chapeze Distillery in Bullitt Co.
just west of Clermont, Ky.
Contributing to the Bardstown National Register District
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.
Location. 37° 48.529′ N, 85° 27.967′ W.
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Marker is in Bardstown, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It is at the intersection of East Stephen Foster Avenue (U.S. 62/150) and County Route 1147, on the right when traveling east on East Stephen Foster Avenue. The marker is on a wooden post by the walkway to the front entrance. The building houses the Kentucky Bourbon House - Colonel's Cottage Inns. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 E Stephen Foster Ave, Bardstown KY 40004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: McLean House (within shouting distance of this marker); Adam Anthony House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named McLean House (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Mark Parker, February 1, 2022
2. The Chapeze House. Marker is attached to the white post by the front walkway
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
