Something about the way the light illuminated the gold lettering on the historical marker caught my eye when I stopped for gas on busy Richmond Road early this evening. I couldn’t believe that I’d never noticed this marker before! After pumping my gas, I walked over to read it and was excited to find that it commemorated Ellerslie, the 1787 home of Levi Todd, one of the founders of Lexington and the grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln.
The home which stood on this site from 1787 to 1947 was built by Levi Todd (1756-1807), who named it for his ancestral village in Scotland. He was one of a party of hunters who named Lexington in 1775; first Fayette County clerk; aide to George Rogers Clark, 1779, Kaskaskia Expedition; Maj., Battle Blue Licks; trustee, Transylvania; grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln.
Photo: Kentucky Historical Society
The estate was divided in the early 1900s and within a few decades the farmland was replaced by some of Lexington’s earliest suburbs. The house was purchased by the municipal water company in the 1940s and after several years was demolished.
The historical marker is located at the Shell Station at 2440 Richmond Road in Lexington. The actual mansion was situated about half a mile north of that, where you will now find a Home Depot and the Southland Christian Church.
And, oh yes, a McDonald’s. 😦
Kentucky Day Trips 
Great photo of the historical marker. Enjoyable read about Ellerslie.
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This state has more historical signs than I’ve ever seen anywhere else! They’re everywhere.
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Fascinating as always!
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🙂 Thanks for that nice compliment.
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I feel like I’m making a tour of Kentucky along with you.
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Well, Kathy, if you’re ever in Kentucky, I’ll drag you with me to all these places, i.e. the Shell station on Richmond Road!
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I am a descendant of the Todd family researching their ties to Scotland….this is a awesome find!
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How interesting! I checked out your blog and saw that you were just on your way to Scotland–so jealous! I just recently discovered that my Martin (Martain) ancestor was one of the first group who settled Lexington and I’ve seen some references that show he served with Todd in the militia. When I moved to Kentucky 3 years ago, I had no idea that we had family from Kentucky, so this is exciting research. 🙂
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Love to talk Todd…..
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