The Tragic Rise and Fall of Harry Selfridge! (Harrose Hall in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)

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Dive into the mesmerizing world of Harry Selfridge, a self-made magnate whose life was filled with dramatic twists and turns. Join us at Harrose Hall, a symbol of success and secrecy, and discover how this mansion bore witness to Harry's meteoric rise, his devastating losses, and the mysterious end that followed. From his humble beginnings to the love triangle that drained his fortune, we unravel the real story behind this iconic figure.
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Location: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[@davidbrims5825]

There was a UK television programme about Selfridge starring Jeremy Piven.

[@muffassa6739]

It was a great TV movie 😊

[@mr.x8259]

OMG the woodwork! Nobody can replicate it.

[@ST-rj8iu]

you can, but it would cost a gazillion dollars.

[@pavelow235]

the Mr. Selfridge tv show was fantastic, I enjoyed it more than Downton Abbey.

[@HRHBoof]

What a travesty to tear such a beautiful home down. It literally breaks my heart, but I understand that a house like that would be extremely expensive to maintain in today's world. Such a shame. Loved the video. I love learning about the origins of majestic homes and residences. It's like a peak into a world I'd otherwise never see. It's fantastic! Thank you!

[@megfuchs9425]

What a tragic tale all around! You just can't make this stuff up! Harrose Hall is a fretwork lover's dream. I can picture myself reading in the parlor, looking out at the lake. Thanks Ken!

[@SMtWalkerS]

Beautiful house, Again, I wonder why it couldn't be saved, since it stood until the 70s. Selfridge's story in fascinating. It would make a good miniseries. Real estate developer wife, twin showgirls, girl damaged in car wreck, huge fortune that dwindles, Selfridge dies alone. More interesting than fiction!

[@oltedders]

Their was a mini series on the Selfridge's store in England.

[@danielulz1640]

It WAS made into a mini series. I saw it on PBS.

[@SMtWalkerS]

@@danielulz1640 Really?? I will look that up. Thanks for the heads up.

[@danielulz1640]

You are welcome. Do look into it, it was a good series. ​@@SMtWalkerS

[@user-sg6ji2kk3u]

Yes this mini series ran for about 4 seasons on PBS and is called “ Mr . Selfridge.” It chronicles his marriage to Rose and the opening of his department store in London and his family as well as his downfall , Gambling addiction and downfall from Grace . Available on DVD all seasons .

[@kevintonks3034]

So sad the wonderful house is no longer around, would have loved to tour it. Looked beautiful.

[@carcar78]

Quite a story. Real life was better than the movie. And the images of interior rooms of the house on Lake Geneva can almost give one chills. Such incredible finish work on the surfaces. Thank you!

[@anteeker]

That seems typical- the houses in England still stand but the one in the US was demolished. Such a shame. The interiors were outstanding, especially the woodwork in the stair hall.

[@MikefromMOMichaelTurner227]

Exactly

[@davidbrims5825]

Americans don’t appreciate old buildings, Europeans do.

[@alisonj9533]

Then Americans say we don't have anything like this about the UK. Sadly it was gone before they discovered it and greed keeps rolling through with a bulldozer

[@StamperWendy]

Thanks for including the back story, Ken! It always makes everything more interesting. I appreciate your time! (you + Dalton)

[@garygloska7396]

The mugs are a great novel idea but I would rather see a little miniature of great houses Mansions or castles I've toured

[@ThisHouse]

I can look into the feasibility of that

[@garygloska7396]

@@ThisHouse that would be great Hope it is feasible

[@oltedders]

A Gothic interior that late in the 19th century was quite a rarity. Just seeing the thumbnail of Harrose Hall made me think it would be a good spot for some nondescript '60s mental hospital building. Sic transit gloria mundi!

[@deborahdunning1066]

Beautiful

[@ST-rj8iu]

Poor Jenny to have such a horrific accident at that time. Those surgeries had to be pure torture.

[@yooperlooper]

I cringe when I hear about another beautiful & stately home has been demolished.

[@williamtyre523]

Thanks for another great video. I was familiar with the exterior of Harrose Hall, but was delighted to see interior views showing the elaborate Gothic detailing. So sad that it met the wrecker's ball like so many other grand houses of the period.

[@janedee6488]

Love that Tudor revival.

[@marieravening927]

My grandmother went to Selfridge's opening sale in London. She had a shilling to spend and bought four blouses for threepence each.

[@huntlife]

Why keep demolishing such amazing homes is beyond me. Surely, they could be saved and used.

[@garryferrington811]

Nope. Waste of money.

[@mixrousefamily687]

Bummer, I thought the Lake Geneva one would still be standing because there are still so many grand old mansions there.

[@garygloska7396]

Typical no respect for beautiful architecture Artistry craftsmanship in America

[@jonclassical2024]

I loved the PBS series "Mr. Selfridge". I went to London in 2018 and toured "Selfridge's"...paid $24 Euros for a gin n tonic at the bar.....very much a shadow of its former self! His story is one of the great American business tales!

[@pavelow235]

They use Euros in England?😂

[@jonclassical2024]

@@pavelow235 Some of the U.K.'s bigger department stores, especially the London stores that are tourist attractions in themselves, will take euros and some other foreign currencies (US dollar, Japanese yen). Selfridges (all branches) and Harrods will both take pounds sterling, euros, and US dollars at their ordinary cash registers.

[@HORSEYANIME2024]

Pls do more videos on historical mansions located in Lake Geneva Wisconsin that no longer exist

[@g.v.hedgpeth2602]

Long before Brangelina and Bennifer...there was Harrose!

[@amandab.recondwith8006]

Beautiful landscape - hideous house.

[@user-uv3yc5bn7o]

This is a GOOD episode !

[@singularseeker]

Beautiful Gothic...

[@BlaineShire]

Great store!

[@MikefromMOMichaelTurner227]

Figures , houses in England are still there.

[@oltedders]

Now turned over to the National Trust in lieu of paying the taxes on them.

[@LawrenceMartinez-fb1tt]

In the PBS documentary about Selfridge they showed how he lost his money and was arrested outside Selfridge’s Department Store when the police mistook him for a vagrant because of his shabby clothes.

[@user-ok5ni2pj2s]

曲折的故事！非常喜欢您的频道❤

[@alexxstarr27]

The interiors are amazing especially the rails and ceilings, as Afton a sad sorry due bad decision and the real life as a depression bad timing.

[@gracekennings]

The glass dome in the stairwell at Harrose Hall was made by Tiffany.

[@sharksport01]

I remember Miss Belfridge on Are You Being Served.

[@terrygibbs1147]

Lansdowne House was greatly altered in the 1920's when a new road was cut through the grounds and the entire frontage was removed. It bears no resemblance now to the picture in the video. It is now a private members club.

[@Julie.Canada]

🎉🎉🎉

[@devonna6171]

Whew!….what a story! As for the tudor revival style house, the outside was so pretty and quaint. “At last,” I thought, “a pretty house!” Then we stepped inside…egads…more grotesque gothic frippery. Completely ruins the house. I do not understand the attraction of all the over-worked busyness of the gothic esthetic. Sad. Its sad that Mr. Selfridge never recovered from losing his wife and allowed those English hussies to fleece him like they did.

[@LJB103]

His biggest follies were to take money out of the store as "loans" and to keep selling stock in his store to finance his lifestyle. By the Depression, he was just a minority shareholder and was able to be ousted. The woodwork was magnificent, but like a lot of houses of the time: way too much stuff.

[@eileencorcoran3090]

Interesting

[@vincenzaperriano876]

Reat story ken!

[@BusyBob6971]

that staircase was magnificent. until the wrecking ball.

[@garryferrington811]

If you ever read "The Magnificent Ambersons," you'll see why few grand mansions survive in the US.

[@jodaciarmani8264]

Surprised he didn’t withdraw the purposult Jenny and extend it to Rosie.

[@brandonpiazza6210]

I’ll continue to reserve my disappointment in the Mark Hopkins house victory. As a Huge fan of Gothic style, I could never see my self “living” in a cathedral! But the products are awesome! As for Harrow hall, it had just the right amount of Understated gothic touches to live beautifully, with a little sin on the side! I was born in the late 70’s! What were they brain dead about architectural wonders?

[@susannewendlandt5432]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@clairwaucaush7225]

Harry had a great time with his money. Typical that the houses in England are still standing, even after a WAR, but the one nice one here was torn down.

[@asylumlover]

This one is horrible on all counts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not just another horrible demolition, but horrible sad endings for everyone involved as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@lindamurns1245]

As usual..... it is disgusting to know people just tore these down !

[@vincenzaperriano876]

Do a video about Frank lloyd Wright

[@sharksport01]

He has.

[@johnmontag]

Why date 2 women that look alike