James J. Gaffney (June 18, 1863 – November 30, 1946), most often known as J. J. Gaffney, was an American architect in Louisville, Kentucky.
Gaffney was born to Michael Gaffney and Anna McMullen on June 18, 1863 in Louisville. His parents were Irish Catholic refugees from the potato famine of 1845-1847.
Gaffney grew up to be an architect despite no evidence of any formal training yet a number of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1881 Gaffney took a job as draftsman with architect Charles Julian Clarke, where he learned the skills that would later earn him his fame. His widely diverse commissions included ecclesiastical, institutional, residential, and commercial buildings. His individual style built upon a variety of influences, ranging from Victorian to Byzantine to Arts and Crafts.
He died November 30, 1946 in Louisville and was buried in Saint Louis Cemetery.
His works include:
- Adath Jeshurun Temple and School, 749-757 S. Brook St., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Bosler Fireproof Garage (later called the Morrissey Garage), 423 S. 3rd St., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Gaffney House (1910-1927), River Road between Longview Lane and Boxhill Lane, Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Highlands Historic District, Louisville, Kentucky. Gaffney is credited with several homes in the district, including those located at 703 Rubel Avenue (built 1899), 1411 Highland Avenue (built 1898), 2017-19 Murray Avenue (built 1907), and probable attribution to the homes at 1222 and 1224 East Broadway (built 1901).
- Marmaduke Building, 520 S. Fourth Ave., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Repton, 314 Ridgedale Rd., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- St. James Roman Catholic Church, Rectory, and School, 1430 Bardstown Rd., 1826 and 1818 Edenside Ave., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Taggart House, 5000 Bardstown Rd., Buechel, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Thierman Apartments, 416-420 W. Breckinridge St., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed
- Waverly Hills Sanatorium, later known as Waverly Hills Geriatrics Center, 8101 Dixie Hwy., Louisville, Kentucky, NRHP-listed