Isaac Goodnight Home
Isaac Goodnight Home as It Appeared in The 1930s.
Photo probably taken by Mamie Ground Hayes, in possession of Margaret Richardson Bates.
The family home of Isaac Goodnight in
Three Forks, Warren County, Kentucky was in the early 1930s shown as
a two-story brick home with chimneys on each end of the house and
two recessed paneled front doors. A separate stairway at each end
led to boys' and girls' dormitories upstairs, which were otherwise
unconnected. The walls of the house were 18 inches thick.
Isaac is said to have made each brick by hand that went to build
this home, but the house was built primarily by slave labor in 1807.
Isaac was a large slave owner.
Another photo of the Goodnight Home, date unknown.
Origin uncertain, but note that porch has been removed.
The home was located about 15 miles north of Bowling Green on
the big Barren River. A small covered porch adorned the front, and
a root cellar was at one end of the house, also with a fireplace.
View of Goodnight Home showing porch and outbuildings.
Photo taken in the 1930s, probably by Mamie Ground Hayes.
Other frame buildings were added, one of which is visible in
an old photograph of the home. This building appears to be
living quarters as well and could possibly attach to the house.
The photos were taken in fall or winter. Dried corn stalks are seen
standing in the field, right up to the side of the house. Across from
the barn lot, on a hill, is the Goodnight family graveyard.
Close to the house was a spring, which originally was enclosed
in a Spring House. By the time this photo was taken in the 1930s,
the house was gone. On the back of the photo: "I remember when there
was a stone spring house over this." Although the photo was in possession
of Roberta Dukes Richardson, I (Margaret Bates) believe it was taken
by Mamie Ground Hayes.
After Isaac Goodnight died, one of Jake Moulder's sister married
Johnny Phillips, and lived on the Goodnight farm. After "Mr. Johnny"
died, "Miss Mondy" had a home for life. When she moved from an old
log house, which was probably the original home, the house and grounds
reverted back to the Goodnight family.
The Isaac Goodnight Home in 1974
Photo by Don Collins, used with permission
In 1974, Don Collins and his son, Dave, visited the house near Three
Forks. At that time, the home had just been restored and was occupied by
a young couple. Don and Dave were shown a brick marked "1807" which
was up inside wone of the fireplaces. The chair rails were original,
as was the paneling under the staircases.
Interior of the Goodnight Home in 1974
Photo by Don Collins, used with permission.
Unfortunately,the house burned in about 1976 and was replaced by
another house.
Return to Goodnight Family Cemetery Page
Return to Warren County Page
Return to Kentucky Page
Return to Index of States