Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Elizabeth Arden Graham

1884 - 1966

Photographed By Ken Smith, July 11, 2012

1. Elizabeth Arden Graham Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The proprietress of the famed cosmetics house, Elizabeth Arden was born Florence Nightingale Graham near Toronto, Canada. At age twenty-four she moved to New York, later borrowed $6000 from her brother, and began her own firm. By 1945, the Elizabeth Arden company was worth $26 million, and she was cited by Fortune Magazine as one of the distinguished figures in American business. After several marriages, she reverted to her maiden name. Mrs. Graham had begun racing horses in 1931, and by 1944 decided to make a heavy commitment. With Leslie Combs II helping her select yearlings, she acquired future champions Star Pilot and Beaugay. She was known for a tendency to fire her trainers with regularity and to insist that her horses be treated with such Elizabeth Arden products as Pink Lotion and Eight-Hour Cream. Nevertheless, she proved an astute horsewoman. and her Jet Pilot won the Kentucky Derby in 1947. Mrs. Graham bred several later champions at her Maine Chance Farm in Lexington.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Sports • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location.

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38° 2.525′ N, 84° 29.421′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 60) and Midland Avenue (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling west. Located in Thoroughbred Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Midland Avenue, Lexington KY 40508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Paul Mellon (here, next to this marker); Leslie Combs II (here, next to this marker); C. V. Whitney (a few steps from this marker); Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); George D. Widener (a few steps from this marker); Warren Wright, Sr. (a few steps from this marker); George M. Humphrey (a few steps from this marker); A. B. Hancock Sr. (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Photographed By Ken Smith, July 11, 2012

2. Elizabeth Arden Graham Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.