Following William Jr's death in 1922, at Rockwood, the property passed to his nephew, John D Rockefeller Jr who sold it just a year later. A group of investors swept in and formed Rockwood Hall Inc. purchasing the home and around 800 acres (324 ha). They converted the estate into a country club with a golf course, a swimming pool and other facilities.

But the business floundered during the Great Depression and the mansion and land were bought back by John D Jr in 1937, although sadly he had no use for the sprawling hall anymore and rising debts. By early 1942, John Jr had ordered the demolition of the mansion and all buildings on the grounds except for two gatehouses.

How America's notorious 'robber barons' really lived