History
On November 13, 1925, Miles Frank Yount struck
oil at Spindletop field in Beaumont, Texas. The field, which had been
dormant since the early 1900’s, produced over 340,000 barrels of oil an acre
per year, pumping in excess of 50 million barrels within 5 years. Now
financially secure, Miles Frank and wife Pansy established a stable of American
Saddlebred horses, quickly becoming recognized as leaders in the industry. On
November 13, 1933, the eighth anniversary of Spindletop’s second discovery,
Miles Frank Yount died of a heart attack at age 53. Left as the beneficiary of
great wealth, Mildred (Pansy) Yount chose Kentucky as the place she would
start anew. Spindletop Farm was established in 1935 on 800 acres of land. At a
cost of one million dollars, construction of Spindletop Hall began in 1935 and
took two years to complete.
Mrs. Yount deemed the house to be a showplace of
Kentucky, a modern mansion of classical architecture. When completed, the
mansion housed 40 rooms, each with its own thermostat, 14 bathrooms, 133 full
size exterior and interior doors, 102 windows with screens of copper, and 11
fireplaces. There are over 45,000 square feet of floor space. At the time of
construction, the circular staircase and the 30 x 60-foot living room were the
largest in Kentucky. Eventually, Mrs. Yount expanded the farm to 1,066
acres. On the property were seven miles of metal fences, 17 houses for servants
and farm hands, and 18 barns. There was also a greenhouse, a swimming pool, a
bath house, a tennis court, two aviaries, and three kennels.
Pansy Yount lived at
Spindletop with her daughter, also named Mildred, and third husband and horse
trainer Cape Grant. She was considered "new money" by the Kentucky
Blue Bloods and was never accepted into their social circle. After divorcing
Mr. Grant, Pansy left Spindletop in 1955. In early 1959, Spindletop Farm
was sold to The University of Kentucky for $850,000. The farm was self-financed
by Pansy over a period of ten years with no interest charged to the University.
Mrs. Yount died in 1962 and in that same year Spindletop Hall became the
residence of the University of Kentucky Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Club. The
Club’s roster boasts over 1000 family, couple, senior, and individual members.
We welcome new Members and invite all members to come to their Club for any of
the numerous activities we have planned for their enjoyment.
Click Here To Request Membership information