Question: Who were the Mason Headleys? I know something of the Beaumont Farm Southwest of Lexington and the Headley family - but who were the Masons? Can someone provide information on both of these families?

Answer: The Headley family owned Beaumont Farm, which included hundreds of acres in what is now south and southwest Lexington, according to an article in the May 1999 Herald-Leader. Hal Price Headley Sr., a noted Lexington thoroughbred breeder, was described as probably the most influential horseman in a state noted for prominent horsemen. He built the white-frame mansion in 1924, which included a tennis courts, swimming pool and a formal garden. Headley’s children included Martha Johnston, Alma Haggin, Adele Headley, Alice Chandler, Patricia Green and Hal Price Jr.

The Headley home and 10 acres sold in 1958 to Dr. Thornton Scott, W. Paul Little and the Gardenside subdivision developers. The house became residential rental property, was vandalized and was razed. In 1974, The Island Creek Coal Co constructed their offices on the site and in 1988 sold the building for $4 million to a subsidiary of Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason Co. The building was later sold to another company.

I’m not aware of a prominent Mason family in Lexington. I suspect that Mason Headley Road’s name had something to do with the Mason Co. located in the Harrodsburg area at the time.

Linda Niemi

Filed under: Lexington History