Rocky Point 1810

One of the more interesting and historic structures in the County is Rocky Point, built by James Haggin in 1810 on an original in-lot and standing next to historic Fort Harrod. A grand home for Kentucky during the settlement period, this structure falls into the first classification of Kentucky Federal Architecture, which is divided into four phases.

This phase of Kentucky architecture maintains residual Georgian features, as are evident in the photographs of this home which is a perfect example of the early Federal format. Fanlights crown the front and rear entrances which maintain the original pinned double doors. The house has a large central hallway with a later curved stair case (to be preserved) which is lighted by the rear fan. The hall area is broken by a beautifully curved arch supported by delicate double columnettes on each side. Both sides of the arch are carved with federal style flora and festoons.

Two large rooms are stacked on either side of the hall creating a double parlor, formal dining room and family dining room or family room. Five chambers are found on the second floor. The fifth is created above the entrance hall. A mansard roof was added in the 1870s, which in very poor repair, gives the home a top heavy appearance and denies the underlying Federal gracefulness. The original floors show clear evidence of the original room proportions.

Around 1822, an architecturally consistent wing was added to the Northern side of the home. Beneath this addition is the original slave kitchen with the enormous and necessary fireplace. A cellar space continues under the original block of the house. It is thought likely that these spaces are the sources for the handmade brick of which the home is constructed. The foundation of both areas are cut block Kentucky limestone.

Following the Battle of Perryville, October 1862, the home was used as a hospital for the wounded. Evidence that both Union and Confederate soldiers were treated was found in the crawl spaces of the house where Union and Confederate belts and artillery were discovered in the 1950s.

Evidence of a summer kitchen (separate from the house) also exists with one standing brick wall and stone outline foundation. Handmade bricks (recently removed from the property) formed a walkway that led to the now demolished carriage house and slave quarters.

The brick work on the home is unusual in that it is Flemish bond on all four sides. Due to the expense, it was the custom in early Kentucky to use common bond on the less significant facades and reserve Flemish for the front of the home. This feature speaks toward the lack of concern for expense and labor when the house was built as do the elegant sixteen over twelve windows.

Another costly design element can be found in the woodwork and mouldings in the home. Carved from fruitwoods and walnut, these elements have long been attributed to Matthew P. Lowery, the most famous federal craftsmen in early Kentucky. Lowery moved from Madison, County to Mercer, County around 1800. He was a carver of exceptional skill and aesthetic gift. It is believed that this home houses one of the earliest remaining examples, if not the earliest remaining example of this artist’s work in the county and is especially significant in showing his stylistic development. There is little question of Lowery’s hand in the northern addition to the home, but recent studies indicate the possibility of other craftsmen being involved in the interior and possibly exterior elements at another point in the homes existence.

John Rogers, the most famous foreign architect (Ireland) in Kentucky, came to Kentucky from Maryland at the request of Kentucky’s first Bishop, Bishop Flaget. His challenge was to design the first Cathedral outside the original Colonies. He was followed shortly by Alexander Moore, his partner. Rogers is known to have been the architect and designed the mouldings and moulding patterns, Moore was the artist who executed the plans. Aside from the Cathedral, two of their most elegant productions are Federal Hill, My Old Kentucky Home, home of attorney John Rowan and Wickland in nearby Bardstown, Kentucky. It was recently noted that some of the woodwork at Rocky Point, which is markedly different from that in the Lowery wing, bears more than passing similarity to that in Federal Hill. Not only are the carving techniques identical, but all design elements are shared in both homes, for example the archway carvings and columnettes are identical with the exception of Federal Hill having reeding on the underside of the arch. There is little question that the chair railing, arch and two mantles in the home are by the same designer and craftsman as those in Federal Hill. It is known that Judge John Rowan and Judge Haggin were friends and at times represented the same clients in trial. A link between Rocky Point, Federal Hill, Rogers and Moore is a topic to be researched, but without question the interior of the home demonstrates the finest craftsmanship of the era.

In homes as endangered as this, the woodwork is often stolen due to the regional reverence in which it is held. The miraculous survival of the woodwork is equaled only by the survival of the original flooring which has been exposed to incredible abuse and the elements.

Rocky Point has been long ignored, in part due to the late additions and unknown history. It was the most noted historian of Southern Architecture, Clay Lancaster, who truly recognized the value of the structure. Without the benefit of deeds or other transcripts he dated the structure to 1810 and dated the wing addition. Upon research we found the property was purchased in 1809 and indeed his hypotheses were correct on both dates, the tax evaluation increased with the new addition. This house was one of Mr. Lancaster’s last studies before his death, December 25, 2000.

The Haggin Family

Although the early date and architectural significance of this structure would show just cause for preservation and restoration, the association of the home with the pioneer Haggin family demands it. This house is the only pioneer Haggin home standing in the United States and, as such symbolizes the American Dream realized to its fullest extent.

The Haggin family influenced not only the politics, economy and development of Kentucky, but that of the entire Nation for two centuries. Their involvement in international financing, mining, thoroughbred racing, the arts, military conflicts, and agricultural innovation make them one of the most illustrious and important families in the United States. Their activities and interests were catalysts not only in Kentucky and the East Coast, but were greatly felt in the West and particularly in California. They remain very active today in thoroughbred racing, their ownership of The Yellow Pages, and philanthropic causes. This is so evidenced in this appeal. The board of the James Ben Ali Haggin Trust, which is devoted to medical and educational grants which are pre-stipulated, recognizing the National significance of the one surviving pioneer Haggin structure, voted to break all precedent and take monies from the Trust’s principle to purchase Rocky Point for the James Harrod Trust, Inc.

Rocky Point symbolizes the American Dream recognized to its fullest extent. An ambitious pioneer comes to Kentucky with a horse, two iron kettles and a rifle and founds a dynasty that achieves unfathomable wealth and fame.

The progenitor of this family was the aforementioned John Haggin. Captain John Haggin was born near Winchester, Va. in 1753 and was one of the earliest settlers in Kentucky, with his entrance in the spring of 1775. We are fortunate to have many details of his life due to the numerous interviews in the Draper Manuscripts and a manuscript entitled Capt. John Haggin’s Kentucky Adventures. These documents detail not only the heartbreak and everyday accounting of pioneer life, but the character of a remarkable man.

Haggin was involved in every aspect of the New West. A famous “Indian fighter”, he was on numerous occasions the hero of attacks against pioneer settlements. He served under his friend, George Rogers Clark, in the expediton to Kaskaskia. He was chosen to negotiate treaty agreements with the warring Shawnee.

He was camped with a group of “long rifles” on the site of present day Lexington, Kentucky when they received news of the inauguration of the Revolutionary War. The hunters named their encampment Lexington. Haggin was very politically active in the movement toward statehood and was a judge on the first Kentucky Court of Appeals.

The most published claims to first racetrack in Kentucky are those made for William Whitley who opened a track in 1788 in Lincoln, County and a Lexington track which opened in 1789. Court records show that John Haggin had a racetrack in Harrodsburg before 1785 as there were prosecutions for disorderly behavior at the track. It is certainly known that he had a strong interest in horses and blood stock, that the “Hagen” track predates earlier claims and that his was one of the earliest if not the earliest track in Kentucky.

In 1780 he moved outside Harrodsburg proper a distance of three miles and established Haggin’s Station. Here he was instrumental in the introduction of organized religion into the West. The edifices of the first three congregations in Kentucky were raised simultaneously under the leadership of the famous Presbyterian minister, Father David Rice. It was John Haggin who gave the land, constructed the building, and was instrumental in the foundation of the Cane Run congregation.

Haggin married Nancy Gibbs and fathered twelve children. By the time of his death he had acquired vast land holdings and great wealth. Unlike some of his fellow entrepreneurial contemporaries, he was seen as honorable and industrious and apparently instilled those values in his offspring.

John Haggin died March 1, 1825 and is buried in Harrodsburg.

James Haggin

James Haggin, who purchased the Rocky Point property in 1809, was the son of Captain John Haggin. He served on the Kentucky Court of Appeals during a period where controversies over this court threatened the existence of the established state government. A very abbreviated accounting would note that in 1819 Kentucky entered a very troubled economic period in which the state banking system collapsed. A “replevin law” was passed where creditors were forced to accept currency of little value. A period ensued that was not dissimilar to the Great Depression. In attempts to lay blame on the policy makers, Kentucky was fraught with incredible political drama that resulted in the appointment of a New Court of Appeals. However, the Old Court of Appeals refused to resign leaving a situation whereby, the State had two functioning high courts, bringing the State and local governments to their knees. One must remember that this was also a period where the most heated and controversial land disputes in our history were being heard and that two courts were handing down decisions on these disputes.

The National significance of this period cannot be underestimated. The New Court, on which James Haggin served, was responsible for the formation of the Democratic Party in Kentucky. Haggin was one of the party’s best known voices. Due to the financial distress of the time, Haggin and the Democratic Party were able to carry Kentucky in the 1828 Presidential election. Their influence was such that it is believed they bore responsibility for the loss of Whig favorite son, Henry Clay, not only in his home state but others as well.

Terah Temple Haggin

Terah Temple Haggin, son of John, brother of James, was a prominent Kentucky lawyer who also served on the Court of Appeals. Although a very successful man, perhaps the most interesting facts regarding this gentleman are his marriage and that he was the father of James Ben Ali Haggin, who would move the family to National prominence.

Terah Haggin’s Irish heritage was in no way unusual for Kentucky or the United States at that time. Although the Nation had quickly developed into a “melting Pot”, that pot consisted primarily of Western European with a few Eastern European bloodlines. A Moslem heritage was unusual. Terah married Adeline Ben Ali, the daughter of Ibrahim Ben Ali who was born near Constantinople, Turkey in 1756. The biography of Ibrahim Ben Ali is one of the most romantic and intriguing accounts of immigration imaginable. It involves royalty, political turmoil, threats of execution and religious conversion. Rather than hide their Islamic roots, the Ben Ali name has been incorporated into every successive generation of the Haggin family.

Terah and Adeline had eight children, the second was James Ben Ali Haggin.

James Ben Ali Haggin

James Ben Ali Haggin was one of the most important American personages of the 19th and 20th century. Named after his uncle and his mother, he was born December 9. 1822 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Following his graduation from Centre College in nearby Danville, Kentucky, he entered the profession of law.

California. In 1849 he went to New Orleans and boarded a steamer bound for the Pacific coast. In Panama he contracted yellow fever and did not reach California until 1850. In San Francisco he established a law practice with his brother-in-law, Lloyd Tevis, and handled much important litigation. He and Tevis began to amount great wealth and took control of Wells Fargo and Pacific Mail Steamship Co., which were of incredible importance during the gold rush era. It was during this period the he began to purchase land, including the Rancho del Paso in Sacramento, California.

Haggin began to split his time between his ranch and his San Francisco home. He reached the zenith of San Francisco society and is seen as one of the sculptors of the city’s 19th century culture and image. In the San Francisco history, Fantastic City, Haggin is described, “James Ben Ali Haggin was the most interesting of the plutocrats as a personality. A conservative gentleman in appearance, but with Oriental traces in lineaments and temperament, strikingly handsome with flashing black eyes and close trimmed white beard.”

He is recognized as one of the early fathers of the Bakersfield and Stockdale area and is still honored by his name being attached to museums, country clubs, golf courses, subdivisions, and the Ben-Ali Lodge of the Masonic Temple.

Through his ownership of lands in this area he became involved in one of the most important legal battles in California history. Over many years, he and Lloyd Tevis financed and waged a successful battle (Lux vs Haggin, Tevis) for the rights of farmers to use flowing streams (riparian rights) for irrigation.

At a later date, the already wealthy Haggin, entered the mining business with Marcus Daly and Senator Hearst. He formed the largest mining companies in America, at one time owning over one hundred mines. Among his most valuable properties were the Homestake and Anaconda mines. During the latter part of his life he acquired the Cerro de Pasco, one of the largest copper mines in Peru. The success of these ventures made him one of the wealthiest men in the world.

In 1880, Haggin, already knowledgeable about equine breeding from his Kentucky heritage, began breeding horses at Rancho del Paso. This decision is of such significance that it will be discussed in a later section.

By 1890 his investments were so varied that he was compelled to seek a more convenient location and moved to New York. Maintaining his properties in California, he established residences in New York City and Newport and relationships with the Vanderbilts, Goulds, and Whitneys.

By 1897 his pass time of thoroughbred breeding had reached near obsession and he returned to his home state, Kentucky, and purchased Elmendorf Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Here he amassed over eight thousand acres, becoming the largest landholder in the history of Kentucky. His farm became one of the most noted estates in America on which was constructed one of the finest residences (Geenhills) in the United States. (The mansion was destroyed, but four columns remain standing in a field of bluegrass. This scene is one of the most photographed icons in the racing industry).

At Greenhills, Haggin expanded his interests to breeding cattle and formed what was described as the model dairy of the world. Through scientific method he is credited with revolutionizing dairy production in the 20th century.

His internet biography describes him thus, “The planning and execution of the various projects with which he was connected, required a mastermind and he left behind him the imperishable monument of splendid dreams realized. He was a chivalrous gentleman, and always compassionate, kind-hearted, generous and considerate in his dealings with his fellowman, and his company was not only a delight but a privilege.”

James Ben Ali Haggin died at ninety-one years of age September 13, 1914 at his villa in Newport, Rhode Island.

General James Haggin Mcbride

Before totally departing from the text on the 19th century Haggins, one must mention another family member, General James Haggin McBride, a nephew of James Haggin (Rocky Point), for whom Missouri Division Camp #632 is named.

McBride was born in Mercer County, Kentucky in 1814 and moved to Paris, Missouri as a young man. Having studied law he was admitted to the Missouri bar and moved to Springfield, Missouri. In May of 1861, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General by Missouri Gov. Jackson. It is said that he adjourned court immediately to accept the command of the 7th Division of the Missouri State Guard.

In August 1861 he led the 7th Division into battle near Sp;ringfield during the Battle of Oak Hills. In a particularly bloody encounter, he lost 146 out of 645 troops, but due to his superior leadership was commended by General Sterling Price. Following this battle he was engaged at the Battle of Lexington, Missouri.

In February, 1862, McBride resigned his Missouri commission to accept commission in the Confederate Army as a Brigadier General. Months later, in 1863, while still on active service and before his commission was formally approved, General McBride became seriously ill and resigned from the Army to join his family who, by this time, had moved to Arkansas where McBride died.

Captain Douglas McBride, son of James Haggin McBride, was killed in action at Batesville, Arkansas.

These are but two members of many in the Haggin family who fought in the Civil War on both sides.

The Haggin Family and the Horse Industry

The importance of the Haggin family in both the Kentucky and California thoroughbred industry merits special consideration. As previously noted, the history of racing in Kentucky can be traced back at least as far as the track owned in 1785 by John Haggin, James Ben Ali Haggin’s grandfather. The Haggins were already recognized in equine breeding and thoroughbred racing prior to James Ben Ali Haggin’s migration to California.

It has, and can be easily said that James Ben Ali Haggin is responsible for the creation of the California thoroughbred racing and breeding programs which remain competitive with those of his home state, Kentucky, to this day. The first significant breeding program in California was introduced at Rancho del Paso and through that program and his program at Elmendorf in Kentucky, Haggin introduced some of the finest bloodlines to have set foot on American and European tracks. Horses such as Ben Ali, winner of the 12th Kentucky Derby, Salvator, Miss Woodford, Firenzi, Star Ruby, Water Boy and Hamburg Bell ruled the tracks in the late 19th and early 20th century. The horses from his stables raced on every prominent course and were known throughout the United States and England. He set a high standard and Kentucky and California are largely indebted to him for the fame of their racing stock. In 1955, when the National Museum of Racing announced the names of the first inductees, no one was surprised to see the name of Salvator.

The Haggin family remains active and is a mainstay to the racing industry of the 21st century. Louis Lee Haggin III, a great-great grandson of James Ben Ali Haggin lives on a horse farm that was formerly a part of Elmendorf Farm. He is on the board of directors for Keeneland Race Course. Louis Lee Haggin II was a past president of Keeneland Race Course and the Keeneland Association. In addition to operating his own horse farm, he was an officer of the Thoroughbred Racing Association, Jockey Club, Thoroughbred Breeders of Kentucky, National Museum of Racing and Grayson Foundation for Equine Research. In 1971, he was chosen The Jockey Club’s “Man of the Year.” James Ben Ali Haggin’s great grandson, William Haggin Perry, who died in 1993, was in partnership with “Bull” Hancock in the operations of the famous Claiborne Farm. The dispersal of Perry’s thoroughbred holdings on Claiborne Farm in 1998 brought the second highest average price per animal in the history of thoroughbred sales.

The Haggin family were not only instrumental to the foundation of the thoroughbred industry, they have maintained it.

Haggins and the Arts

Besides having given employment to most American architects of note in the past two centuries, the Haggins have generously built theatres for the public and have several associations with art and entertainment.

In 1931, Elia Haggin McKee, granddaughter of James Ben Ali Haggin and daughter of Louis Terah Haggin, established the Louis Terah Haggin Art Museum in Stockton, California. Now known as the Haggin Museum, the core collection is an incredible selection of paintings from the holdings of Ms. McKee’s father. The museum has garnered much respect, is very successful, and a wonderful gift to the people of California.

Another association to the arts is Ben Ali Haggin, 1882-1951, grandson of James Ben Ali Haggin. Although buried in Lexington, Kentucky, he was a resident of New York City. Ben Ali Haggin was a painter of society ladies, people of the theatre, and thoroughbred horses. He is a listed artist whose style and subject matter are very reminiscent of John Singer Sargent. One can see the strong Oriental influence in portraiture that typifies the society painters of the late 19th and early 20th century. Aside from his paintings and being a darling of New York society, Ben Ali Haggin, was also involved in the New York theatre as a designer of theatrical sets and tableaux. He frequently worked with Florence Ziegfeld in designing tableaux which were famous for posed actresses clothed only in gauze. The counter part to the winsome Gibson Girl of the period was the Ben Ali Haggin Girl. Irving Berlin immortalized the stereotype in his composition, My Ben Ali Haggin Girl.

Ben Ali Haggin is known to have also participated in some New York productions as an actor and his wife Bonnie was in silent films with actors such as, Lionel Barrymore, John Barrymore, Ethel Barrymore, Tyrone Power and Ina Claire. Her social position was such that she was always billed as Mrs. Ben Ali Haggin.

John Ben Ali Haggin

Aside from thoroughbred racing, and establishing the Yellow Pages, a business that has now become active in internet acquisitions and continues to be controlled by the Haggin family as The Haggin Group, the Haggins have also given a decorated hero to the 20th century.

John Ben Ali Haggin, great-grandson of James Ben Ali Haggin, was born August 19, 1916 in New York City and was described as “having always been airminded”. Recognized as a hero of the Civil Air Patrol, Haggin began flying at age 15 and purchased his first airplane in 1938. After familiarizing himself with numerous planes, he was employed by Hayes Aircraft Accessories Corp. whose president was his stepfather, Felix William Zelcer.

When Pearl Harbor was bombed, Haggin applied for enlistment in the Army Air Corps. He was denied due to minimum standard eyesight. He then joined the newly formed Civil Air Patrol which welcomed him, in part, for his many logged hours of flight, but also because he owned his own plane.

One of the few enemy submarine sightings on the Atlantic Coast occurred on July 11, 1942 near Atlantic City. It was Haggin, after hours of circling and zigzagging, waiting for the U-boat to come up to periscope depth, who loosed two 325-pound depth charges just feet from the submarine’s bow. Due to the sensitivity of his endeavor and fear of alarming the American people, this mission remained a government secret for some time.

By the summer of 1943, it was apparent that U-boat activity on the East Coast was nonexistent and Haggin was given a 1st lieutenant commission in the Air Transport Command. On March 23, 1945 a U.S. Navy Miami Avenger crashed at sea, again Haggin was declared the air hero of the East Coast when under very difficult circumstances, with the waves and swells of the open sea, he executed a skillful landing and takeoff and rescued the crew.

In spite of his visual limitations and inability to serve in arenas that would have offered him combat activity, arenas that offered better opportunities for heroism, in the course of his service Haggin was twice a hero. He was nominated for and received the Air Medal, and was awarded the Army Commendation by Brig. General H. D. Hansell.

The American Dream

The preservation of historically significant architecture is the charge and mandate of the James Harrod Trust, Inc., the loss of any of our community treasures engenders pain and regret. The loss of the Haggin home, Rocky Point would be particularly tragic. Before our recent purchase of the property, there had been a movement to condemn the property and raze it. The benevolence of the James Ben Ali Haggin Trust in New York City allowed us to purchase and therefore temporarily save the structure from immediate destruction, however, that does not prevent imminent destruction through vandalism and the elements if preservation does not commence quickly. It is our belief that this structure symbolizes the American Dream as realized by one family, the Haggins.

It is our hope to encourage further preservation in an area that must realize that its future economic well being is dependent upon honoring its past. The Haggin home will house a preservation library with historical documents and resource materials to help that community realize its American Dream. The main floor will be restored and furnished appropriately to the period and will serve as a museum example of pioneer life shortly after removal from nearby Fort Harrod. It is also our hope that the home can become a repository for ephemera, documents and articles from the Haggin family. Most importantly, we want to preserve and remind the Nation of the importance of this family, their aspirations and successes.