What can you tell me about the stone fences that line the rural roads surrounding Lexington? The signs on them note the approximate dates and that they were constructed by Irish craftsmen, but I was curious about their history, and whether they are protected in any way like homes in historic districts. I’ve noticed groups repairing them at times on Leestown Road, and I was curious if this was up to the landowners to do or if they were protected in some other way.

The stone fences have long been an intriguing feature of our landscape. A survey done by the city planning staff measured the standing fences in 1990 which then totaled 38.7 miles. Jim Rebmann, senior environmental planner for the city division of Environmental Policy, estimates since 1990, “we’ve lost about another 2 miles.” Most recently, about 900 feet of fence was taken down on Russell Cave Road and another 600 feet on Old Richmond Road.

Rebmann also said about the fences that residents tend to keep an eye on them. If someone sees a fence apparently at risk, they call the city. His department will investigate pretty quickly to make sure a fence is not destroyed. Lexington has several ordinances that pertain to the stone fences, but Sec. 14-83 specifically addresses stone wall preservation. It requires anyone who wants to remove a stone fence to apply for a permit from the office of historic preservation. Rebmann said to call LexCall, 311, if you see a rock wall that looks like it could be endangered.

An organization based in Lexington, the Dry Stone Conservancy, has collected pictures and information about dry stone structures from around the U.S. In the spring, they offered classes in how to construct a dry stone fence. If a rock fence is constructed in a traditional way, within a few years, it appears to be as old as the original fences.

Filed under: Lexington History