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Research notes

La Grange: the Oldham County seat with trains on Main Street

La Grange began in 1827 at a crossroads named for Lafayette’s estate, became the Oldham County seat in 1838, and still runs trains down Main Street.

Updated

County and name

  • Oldham County formed from Jefferson, Shelby and Henry, 74th county, named for Col. William Oldham, killed at St. Clair's Defeat 1791. KHS 1251

Founding and seat fight

  • Taylor's 1827 town at the crossroads, named for Lafayette's La Grange; court 1827, Westport sessions 1828, La Grange permanently 1838; incorporated Jan 23 1840. GK KHS 2594

Railroad

  • Louisville & Frankfort RR down Main Street; arrival 1850 or late 1850s (Grokipedia gives both). CSX 20-30 trains/day today. GK

Enslavement and education

  • Westport court records of enslavement, Henry Bibb family (marker 2594). Rosenwald school 1921-22 (marker 2418). KHS 2594 KHS 2418

Timeline

  1. 1824 Oldham County organized; Westport the seat KHS 1251 GK
  2. 1827 La Grange laid out; court moves GK
  3. 1828 Court sessions at Westport KHS 2594
  4. 1838 Seat permanently at La Grange GK KHS 2594
  5. 1840 Incorporated Jan 23 GK
  6. 1850s Louisville & Frankfort Railroad on Main Street GK

Open questions

  • Railroad arrival: 1850 vs late 1850s (both in Grokipedia).
  • County act date: brief gives Dec 15, 1823; marker titles it 1824.

Sources

web