Early in the sixties, the property had been put up at public auction, and President Jno. B. Bowman had planned to buy it for the founding of a great university; but through the spiteful manipulation, it is said, of a citizen, his bid of $100,000 was passed for the higher one of $115,000, and the university was lost to Harrodsburg. The sale, however, by some flaw or failure to execute bond, was not consummated and the Government held the grounds until 1887. They were then purchased by the “Kentucky Real Estate and Improvement Company” for $19,000 cash. This company made an addition to Harrodsburg known as the “Kentucky Eeal Estate and Improvement Addition,” commonly called “Springs Addition.” Thirty acres of the ground, including the epsom spring, were purchased by Mr. Jno. I. Cassell, and on it was erected a handsome private residence. It was occupied as a private home until three years ago, when Mr. Ben Casey Allin, having bought it, opened the commodious house as a hotel for summer boarders, who wished to drink the famed water, and breathe pure air in the shade with the forest drawing close about them that was planted by Dr. Graham in the long ago. More guests came than he could accommodate. He has put up cottages and built a large, beautiful dining-room which also serves as ball-room. The enterprise is growing by the simple law of demand and supply. Though we recognize the truth, ‘a day that is dead will never come back,’ because the whole social fabric has so changed that even Dr. Graham, with his wonderful personality, could not, if he were here, re-establish the old regime, there is every reason to look forward to a brilliant future for the new Graham Springs. Nature has kept her springs and her charm; twentieth-century enterprise has supplied many advantages to compensate for those that have been lost; and the attentive courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Ben C. Allin, assisted by Mrs. Alice Ware’s rare tact to put you in mind of what you want—all combine to attract visitors and make a new history for Graham Springs.”

Reference Data:

Register of the Kentucky State Histroical Society, Vol.12, Issue 34, by Kentucky State Historical Society, 1914, page 35