Key figure

A. Kingsley “King” Macomber

March 7, 1875–Oct. 5, 1955

Born 1875
Died 1955 · age 80

Horse breeder; founding partner of Los Angeles Trust Co.; purchased Vanderbilt’s racing stable

Across the archive

Stories featuring A. Kingsley “King” Macomber

Historical article

Railcars #90 and #91 – Henry Flagler’s “Jets”

As one might expect since he was building railroads, Henry Flagler had his own private railcars.

Historical article

A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber

Myrtle was born in Kansas in 1877, the daughter of Lamon V. Harkness. She developed a passion for horses living and working at Walnut Hall Farm, her father’s nationally renowned facility in Kentucky.

Historical article

Lamon V. Harkness

Collection

About

About the Author Don Schueler My name is Don Schueler, and I grew up in Bellevue, Ohio.

Life and connections

1875
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber was born on March 7, 1875 in Morristown, N.J.
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber was born in Morristown, N.J., on March 7, 1875, the second of three sons of Dr. Henry Kirke Macomber and Amelia Collerd Macomber.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1894
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (19) traveled to Africa with Russell Burnham
With friend Russell Burnham, A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (19) traveled to Africa in 1894 to help map the area that would become known as Rhodesia; they were held under siege for two months before being rescued by the British Army.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1899
Myrtle marries A. Kingsley Macomber (24)
Myrtle married A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (24) a year later in 1899.
From the story: Lamon V. Harkness
1902
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (27) became a founding partner of the Los Angeles Trust Co. in 1902
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (27) became a founding partner of the Los Angeles Trust Co. in 1902 and expanded it into a multi-bank empire and engaged in early oil exploration.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1906
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (31) bought Rancho Cienega in 1906 and introduced thoroughbred breeding
When A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (31) bought a cattle breeding operation called Rancho Cienega in Paicines, Calif., in 1906, he invested heavily in a large new home and stables and introduced the breeding of thoroughbred horses into the operation.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1906
Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber buy Rancho Cienega de los Paicines Ranch in 1906
In 1906, Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber and partner George Sykes bought the 8,917.52-acre Rancho Cienega de los Paicines Ranch in Northern California; the partners divided the property and Kingsley Macomber (31) kept the developed portion, raising cattle and breeding thoroughbred horses.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1911
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (36)’s pari-mutuel racing operations were affected by federal legislation in 1911
Federal legislation in 1911 banned pari-mutuel betting; A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (36) and some other breeders moved their operations to England and France.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1912
Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber commission a 15,000 sq ft home in 1912
In 1912, King and Myrtle had a 15,000 sq ft home built by architect Frank Delos Wolfe, inspired by a residence they saw in Nice, France, with 20 rooms, an indoor pool with a bronze-screened arched roof and gold dome, a 12-car garage, and a golf course.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1915
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (40) and Myrtle Harkness Macomber moved back to the United States in 1915
The Macombers moved back to the States in 1915 as World War I escalated.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
June 1916
Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber buy Del Monte Forest land in June 1916
In June 1916, Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber bought 82 acres of Del Monte Forest with the stipulation that they could not subdivide it for at least 50 years.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1917
Kingsley Macomber creates Monterey Jockey Club ties and Macomber Handicap sponsorship in 1917
In 1917, Kingsley Macomber’s growing friendship with Samuel Morse led to restoration of the old race track at Del Monte and the creation of the Monterey Jockey Club; the founders included W.H. Crocker, August Belmont, Louis J. Hill, and Rudolph Spreckels; although Kingsley Macomber (42) did not have a horse in the opening meet in October–November 1917, he was in attendance and sponsored the Macomber Handicap.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1917
Kingsley Macomber’s Macomber Cabin at Pebble Beach is built in 1917
The article states that a “Macomber Cabin at Pebble Beach” was built in 1917 and later burned down in 1977.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1920
Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber move to France in 1920
In 1920, Kingsley Macomber and Myrtle Harkness Macomber moved to France, where they continued breeding thoroughbreds.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1923
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (48)’s colt Parth won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1923
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (48)’s most famous colt, Parth, won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1923.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1927
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (52) acquired the yacht Crusader in 1927
By 1927, A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (52) acquired another token of his success—a new yacht built in Southampton, England, at a cost of $400,000, called Crusader.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1927
Myrtle Harkness Macomber and Kingsley Macomber (52) sell Paicines Ranch in 1927 and buy Poissy in 1927
The Macombers sold the Paicines Ranch in 1927 and bought St. Louis de Poissy horse operations in France from William K. Vanderbilt.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family
1933
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (58)’s Gold Bridge won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1933
Gold Bridge won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1933.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1934
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (59)’s Gold Bridge won the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1934
Gold Bridge won back-to-back King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 1934.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1955
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (80) purchased Vanderbilt’s complete racing stable in France after William K. Vanderbilt’s death
The racing world was shocked in September 1920 when it learned that, upon the death of William K. Vanderbilt, A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (80) had purchased Vanderbilt’s complete racing stable in France for $2 million, including the Vanderbilt chateau and a stable of brood mares, stallions, and younger yearlings and foals.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
1955
A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (80) died in Paris on Oct. 5, 1955
Noted sportsman and horse breeder A. Kingsley “King” Macomber (80) died in Paris on Oct. 5, 1955, leaving an estate of $16,084,597; his remaining estate went to his widow, Myrtle Harkness Macomber.
From the story: A. Kingsley and Laura Myrtle Harkness Macomber
July 1958
Myrtle Harkness Macomber and Kingsley Macomber sell property back in July 1958
In July 1958, the Macomber property was sold back to the company.
From the story: Pasadena, Paicines, Poissy and Pebble Beach – L.V. Harknesses and family