Dixiana Farm Mansion Burns.. and Some History

Postcard of Dixiana Farm, Lexington, Ky.

A sad news update on a building I've never noticed... an early-Saturday-morning fire consumed and destroyed the mansion at Dixiana Farms (f/k/a Hamilton Stud) in Lexington. WKYT's video is here. Firefighters stood by waiting on water tankers to deliver water to the scene as no hydrants were near. Located off Russell Cave Road, it appears that parts of the mansion predated the Civil War (the oldest parts destroyed). Dixiana Farm was founded in 1877 by Barak G. Thomas (1826-1906), a major in the Confederate army who later was elected sheriff of post-war Fayette County. Major Thomas, in ailing financial and bodily health, sold the farm in 1897 [fn] and retired to his 'city home' at 194 West Main Street (n/k/a 646 West Main Street after renumbering in 1907). [fn] Barak G. Thomas passed in 1906. [NYTimes obit]

Dixiana Mansion, Lexington, Ky.

Ultimately, in 1909 Dixiana Farm was purchased by James Ben Ali Haggin (a major name in Lexington history) who owned the adjacent, more prestigous Elmendorf Farm. Haggin converted the great Thoroughbred farm to tobacco land and Dixiana was used for that purpose until Haggin sold the farm in 1925 to James Cox Brady (then one of the thirty richest men in America) who restored Dixiana to racing prestige. There is a lot more history here and here. Most recently, the property was purchased for $13 million in 2009 by Bill Shively..

I only wish I had seen the mansion before it burned. So much history...

UPDATE (2-17-2012): The history of the farm in this post is correct, but I was today advised by Dixiana Farms that the mansion pictured above remains standing. It was actually the Domino Stud Farm mansion that burned in early 2010. The two farms - Dixiana and Domino - were separated in the 1940s but reunited under both original acreage and name in 2009. Here is a photo of the Domino Mansion, courtesy of Dixiana Farms, as it appeared before it was lost to fire. Stay tuned as plans are pending with regard to this historic landmark:

Photo: Dixiana Farms

Spencer County Courthouse - Taylorsville, Ky.

Spencer County Courthouse, Taylorsville, Ky.

I apologize for the delay on this post. I took this photo back in July of this year, but was never quite able to get things posted. Now that I'm on what will have to pass for a vacation I can get these things posted. Spencer County is a unique place. It's between Lexington and Louisville, but for some reason I've never really visited.

Taylorsville is its county seat, and was founded on 60 acres of land given by Richard Taylor, who was President Zachary Taylor's father. Richard Taylor operated a grist mill nearby. Taylorsville is probably best known for Taylorsville Lake, the man-made lake that serves as a recreational area. Dam construction began in 1974 and flooding began in 1983. The lake is pretty murky, due to the fact that a great deal of standing timber was still standing when the lake was flooded.

My New Kentucky Home (& Post 300)

At this appointed hour, my wife and I are closing on our new house. The coming days will be filled with painting and unpacking, organizing and settling in. What that means for? Probably not a lot of posts. (Hopefully, Nate can pick up some of the slack!) This is a really exciting time for us - and I know our little Kaintuckeean will enjoy finally having a back yard to call his own!

But revel in this: this is Post #300! On my flickr account, I've had my pictures viewed 12,644 times (most of these around July 4 and the World Equestrian Games). @kaintuckeean on Twitter, there have been 1,424 tweets and I've amassed 254 followers. And on Facebook, the Kaintuckeean group has 328 fans. We have 8 Google Friends (c'mon people!) and 70 active feeds according to feedburner. But you can follow/friend/flickr us any or all of the above ways - but what is most important is that you comment!!


I really love this state, its people and its history. I'm not a native, but I've been here long enough that I cannot imagine calling anywhere else home. I hope to explore even more of our great state and to figure out other ways to share these explorations with you. But nothing encourages me more than your comments (leave them here, on Facebook or on Flickr). I've also got some great friendships that I've developed through twitter. Well, thanks for taking an interest in the Kaintuckeean!

Maker's Mark Tasting

Maker's Mark Tasting @ World Equestrian Games, Lexington, Ky.

One of the vendors unique to Kentucky set up at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington is Maker's Mark. Its temporary building looks similar to those in Loretto and its product is available throughout the Games. In the Kentucky Experience, there are bourbon tastings where you can sample the three kinds of Maker's. I enjoy bourbon, but Maker's holds a special place in my heart. Oh...and I love Maker's 46. (I've enjoyed it since it was first released a few months ago!) It is incredibly smooth and the perfect sipping bourbon. Maker's Julep is a great blend of bourbon, sugar and mint - a wonderfully mixed mint julep straight from the bottle!


If you enjoy Bourbon or want to experience a taste of Kentucky, enjoy a Maker's tasting. And invite me to enjoy it with you!

walkLEX: McCarthy's Irish Bar

Headed South, Looking North; Upper St., Lexington, Ky.

I really enjoyed doing a little digging for the 123 West Main post, so I decided to do a couple more. Plus, I had fun taking a few photos in my car's side mirror (and frankly, I only have to much to say about McCarthy's). Popular with UK students, the Irish Bar is a great place to go for a Guinness. But I think I would have rather gone to the location in the early 1920s...

According to the Asa C. Chinn collection, the two addresses (117 and 119 South Upper) once housed the Walter L. Honaker Fish and Oyster House (119) and D. Addler & Son (117). How I wish we still had a fish and oyster house downtown... [rumor has it a raw bar is coming to 310 W. Short St.] My research ended here - I couldn't discover anything else about either the oyster house or the jeweler. Does anyone know anything??