Crossfield, R. H., House
a.k.a. Crowe House;The Mansion
SW of Lawrenceburg off Anderson City Rd., Lawrenceburg, KYThe house was built in 1865 by Richard Henry Crossfield. The Crossfield house is one of nine Anderson County two-story houses built during the same era and following the same modified Greek Revival pattern, that remains in good condition. The country setting of the house remains unblemished. R, H, Crossfield was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the county and played an important role in Anderson County politics.
His son, R. H. Crossfield, Jr., who was born in this house in 1868, was a prominent theologian and served as President of Transylvania University in Lexington and William Woods College of Missouri.
R. H. Crossfield's father, Richard Henry Crossfield, was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, and settled in Woodford Canty (now Anderson), Kentucky. He built a log cabin two miles from Fox Creek, and five miles from Lawrenceburg, the county seat.
Richard Henry Crossfield, Sr., generally known as "Uncle Dick," was born in 1821 in the plantation cabin of his parents. Upon the exact site, and possibly retaining parts of the cabin, especially a rock chimney, he built his own house in 1865. This house was called "The Mansion" and was part of a 400-acre farm.
In McKee's History of Anderson County, R. H. Crossfield's house is described as one of the splendid farmhouses in Fox Creek. Fox Creek is pictured as a thrifty and desirable little hamlet, surrounded by lovely farms.
Crossfield was a successful farmer, churchman, philanthropist, and politician. He gave substantial sums of money to Transylvania College and The College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky. He served three terms as sheriff of Anderson County, one 4-year term as county judge, 1886-1890, and was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1891. Crossfield died in 1908 and was buried in the century-old family cemetery located within view of the house.
Crossfield had twelve children. His namesake, Richard Henry Crossfield, Jr., was born and raised in "The Mansion" in 1868. He became one of Kentucky's, as well as Anderson County's, most famous theologians. He received an A. B. degree from Transylvania College an M.A, and a Ph. D. from Wooster College. He also held honorary degrees from Georgetown College, the University of Kentucky, and Transylvania College.
R. H. Crossfield, Jr., was elected President of Transylvania College in Lexington in 1918 and served in that capacity for thirteen years. He also served as President of William Woods College of Missouri for three years and was Executive Secretary of the Federal Council Churches of Christ in America for one year. He was a minister of Christian Churches in Kentucky, Virginia, and Alabama for many years.
Crossfield, Jr., wrote many articles and pamphlets, the best known of which was "Pilgrimages of a Parson," written in 1901, giving an account of the author's adventures in Europe, Egypt, and Palestine. Crossfield, Jr., died in 1951 and upon his death, a $5,000 R. H. Crossfield Scholarship Fund was created for Transylvania College.
The architectural distinction of the Crossfield House--the most pretentious in its rural area, although not far from Frankfort, the capital of the State-- is difficult to convey in photographs or words. Like the others of its type in Anderson and neighboring counties, it has a great deal of presence, owing partly to its considerable scale and rather vertical proportions and partly to the repetitive nature of the provincial Grecian ornament--no doubt derived ultimately from pattern books such as Lafever's, but given originality and force by the carpenter builder's free adaptation. The houses of this type in the area all show slight variations of detail and plan, but their essential similarity suggests not only a common builder but also his patrons' satisfaction with his conservative but functional version of the Greek Revival farm mansion.
Local significance of the building:
His son, R. H. Crossfield, Jr., who was born in this house in 1868, was a prominent theologian and served as President of Transylvania University in Lexington and William Woods College of Missouri.
R. H. Crossfield's father, Richard Henry Crossfield, was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, and settled in Woodford Canty (now Anderson), Kentucky. He built a log cabin two miles from Fox Creek, and five miles from Lawrenceburg, the county seat.
Richard Henry Crossfield, Sr., generally known as "Uncle Dick," was born in 1821 in the plantation cabin of his parents. Upon the exact site, and possibly retaining parts of the cabin, especially a rock chimney, he built his own house in 1865. This house was called "The Mansion" and was part of a 400-acre farm.
In McKee's History of Anderson County, R. H. Crossfield's house is described as one of the splendid farmhouses in Fox Creek. Fox Creek is pictured as a thrifty and desirable little hamlet, surrounded by lovely farms.
Crossfield was a successful farmer, churchman, philanthropist, and politician. He gave substantial sums of money to Transylvania College and The College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky. He served three terms as sheriff of Anderson County, one 4-year term as county judge, 1886-1890, and was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1891. Crossfield died in 1908 and was buried in the century-old family cemetery located within view of the house.
Crossfield had twelve children. His namesake, Richard Henry Crossfield, Jr., was born and raised in "The Mansion" in 1868. He became one of Kentucky's, as well as Anderson County's, most famous theologians. He received an A. B. degree from Transylvania College an M.A, and a Ph. D. from Wooster College. He also held honorary degrees from Georgetown College, the University of Kentucky, and Transylvania College.
R. H. Crossfield, Jr., was elected President of Transylvania College in Lexington in 1918 and served in that capacity for thirteen years. He also served as President of William Woods College of Missouri for three years and was Executive Secretary of the Federal Council Churches of Christ in America for one year. He was a minister of Christian Churches in Kentucky, Virginia, and Alabama for many years.
Crossfield, Jr., wrote many articles and pamphlets, the best known of which was "Pilgrimages of a Parson," written in 1901, giving an account of the author's adventures in Europe, Egypt, and Palestine. Crossfield, Jr., died in 1951 and upon his death, a $5,000 R. H. Crossfield Scholarship Fund was created for Transylvania College.
The architectural distinction of the Crossfield House--the most pretentious in its rural area, although not far from Frankfort, the capital of the State-- is difficult to convey in photographs or words. Like the others of its type in Anderson and neighboring counties, it has a great deal of presence, owing partly to its considerable scale and rather vertical proportions and partly to the repetitive nature of the provincial Grecian ornament--no doubt derived ultimately from pattern books such as Lafever's, but given originality and force by the carpenter builder's free adaptation. The houses of this type in the area all show slight variations of detail and plan, but their essential similarity suggests not only a common builder but also his patrons' satisfaction with his conservative but functional version of the Greek Revival farm mansion.
Education; Politics/government; Architecture; Religion
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The famous African-American author and poet, Langston Hughes, spent much of his childhood in Lexington, Kentucky.
About Anderson County
Anderson County Timeline
Anderson County, Kentucky has a rich and interesting history that stretches back to the early 18th century. The area was initially settled by pioneers in the mid-1700s, attracted by the fertile land and abundance of natural resources. The county was officially established in 1827 and named after Richard Clough Anderson Jr., a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
During the early years of Anderson County, agriculture played a vital role in its economy. Farmers relied heavily on tobacco, hemp, and livestock production to support their families and contribute to the local economy. The county also had a significant iron industry, with several iron furnaces established during the 1800s.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Anderson County, as it experienced both Confederate and Union occupation. The Battle of Lawrenceburg, which took place in the county in 1862, was a significant event during the war. The county was home to both Confederate and Union sympathizers, which led to tensions and conflicts throughout the war.
In the late 19th century, Anderson County underwent significant economic and industrial development. Railroad lines were built, connecting the county to larger cities and markets. This led to the growth of businesses and the creation of new jobs. The county also saw the rise of tobacco warehouses and distilleries, which became crucial industries. Today, Anderson County continues to thrive as a rural community with a mix of agriculture and small businesses, while also embracing its historical roots.
During the early years of Anderson County, agriculture played a vital role in its economy. Farmers relied heavily on tobacco, hemp, and livestock production to support their families and contribute to the local economy. The county also had a significant iron industry, with several iron furnaces established during the 1800s.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Anderson County, as it experienced both Confederate and Union occupation. The Battle of Lawrenceburg, which took place in the county in 1862, was a significant event during the war. The county was home to both Confederate and Union sympathizers, which led to tensions and conflicts throughout the war.
In the late 19th century, Anderson County underwent significant economic and industrial development. Railroad lines were built, connecting the county to larger cities and markets. This led to the growth of businesses and the creation of new jobs. The county also saw the rise of tobacco warehouses and distilleries, which became crucial industries. Today, Anderson County continues to thrive as a rural community with a mix of agriculture and small businesses, while also embracing its historical roots.
Anderson County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Anderson County, Kentucky.
- 1827 - Anderson County is established as the 62nd county in Kentucky.
- 1840-1850 - Anderson County experiences a population boom due to the growth of the railroad industry.
- 1861-1865 - The American Civil War impacts Anderson County, with many residents serving in the military.
- 1882 - Lawrenceburg becomes the county seat of Anderson County.
- 1904 - The Louisville and Nashville Railroad extends its line through Anderson County, boosting economic growth.
- 1920s - The Great Depression leads to economic hardship in Anderson County as agriculture prices plummet.
- 1950s-1960s - Anderson County experiences suburbanization, with an increase in residential development and a decline in agriculture.
- 1980s - The opening of the Bluegrass Parkway brings increased tourism and economic opportunities to Anderson County.
- 2004 - The Wild Turkey Distillery opens in Lawrenceburg, becoming a major tourist attraction.
- Present - Anderson County continues to be a blend of rural landscapes, suburban neighborhoods, and growing commerce.