Resources

The links and information we’ve provided below might help you learn a bit more about our town and county. If you need any further information, don’t hesitate to contact Discover Downtown La Grange.

Local Links

City of La Grange Government
OPIE (HDB Services public bus)
La Grange Police Department (also on Facebook)
La Grange Fire & Rescue (also on Facebook)
Oldham County Government & Fiscal Court
Oldham County Tourism
Oldham County Public Library (also on Facebook. See also: Friends of the Oldham County Library on Facebook).
Oldham County Schools
Oldham County Chamber of Commerce
Oldham County Health Department
Oldham County Emergency Medical Services (also on Facebook)

Local News

The Oldham Era (also on Facebook)
Louisville Courier Journal Oldham Neighborhoods (also on Facebook)
Roundabout in Kentucky (also on Facebook as Roundabout Madison)
Natural Awakenings, Louisville Region (also on Facebook)
Weather (also on Facebook)

Main Street Links

Kentucky Heritage Council (also on Facebook)
National Main Street Center (also on Facebook)
National Trust for Historic Preservation (also on Facebook)

City Visitors

La Grange is home to many interesting and popular tourist attractions. Here are a few highlights:

Oldham County History Center Museum and Archives (also on Facebook)
Dedicated to collecting, preserving, and conveying the history of Oldham County, Kentucky.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The Archives are closed on weekends.

D.W. Griffith sites, Centerfield and LaGrange
See Oldham County Historical Society for more information
D.W. Griffith was born in La Grange in 1875 and had a distinguished career as a well known film director. His most famous production was “The Birth of a Nation,” made in 1915. The Griffith home was built in 1905 as a single family dwelling but later served as a funeral home. Griffith purchased the home around 1910 for his mother and aunt, living there himself from 1935 until 1939. During his stay there, a sidewalk was built in front of the home, and his name is still visible where he wrote it in the concrete at the end of the walk. The present owners are Donna and Ken Schwedler, who bought the home in 1983. Among the homes furnishings are several artifacts relating to Griffith and his career. Visit the Griffith gravesite at Mount Tabor Cemetery in Centerfield and the Oldham County History Center’s exhibit of Griffith memorabilia. The Griffith home is located at 206 N. Fourth St., La Grange, and may open to the public for home tours during the holidays.

Buddy Pepper Residence
Located at the corner of Washington and Walnut, across the street from the Rob Morris home, this private residence was the original home for Buddy Pepper, an actor who later became a Hollywood composer and an accompanist for Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich. One of Mr. Pepper’s most popular songs, “Vaya con Dios,” written with Inez James, has been recorded in more than 500 versions. In addition to Garland and Dietrich, Mr. Pepper was an arranger and conductor for stars like Jane Russell, Gordon MacRae, Lisa Kirk, Margaret Whiting, Jack Smith and Ginny Simms. Mr. Pepper, whose original name was Jack R. Starkey,  won a national radio contest, the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, at 13 and went into vaudeville. He appeared in the films “Seventeen,” with Jackie Cooper; “The Reluctant Dragon,” with Robert Benchley, and “Men of Boys Town,” with Spencer Tracy. His major accomplishment was the soundtrack for Pillow Talk, featuring Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Thelma Ritter and Nick Adams.

Train Watching on Main Street
Many trains come right down Main Street approximately 30 times per day. No exact schedules, however…but if you take a seat at the local coffee shops or restaurants, you’ll eventually see a train. A train enthusiast delight.

Historic L&N Train Depot
Circa 1910. The last remaining railroad depot in La Grange provides evidence of the city’s railroad heritage. The Depot houses the offices of the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce and Oldham County Economic Development. Tours available by appointment. 502-222-1635.

Rob Morris Home
Located at the corner of Washington and Walnut, this private home was the residence of the founder of the Eastern Star. Visitors can tour by appointment. Please call 502-222-0248 for reservations.

Eagle Creek Golf Course
This asset is a beautiful public 18 hole golf course, owned by the City of LaGrange and managed on-site by Guy Breeds.  Only 22 miles from Downtown Louisville, we are conveniently located just 1.5 miles south of I-71 on Highway 53. Eagle Creek is open to the public 7 days a week and can provide a challenge to golfers of all skill levels.  The course is well maintained and features Bermuda fairways, bent grass greens, and has woods surrounding a number of holes.  The serene setting makes it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of life to get out and enjoy a good time with family or friends. Call 502-222-7927 for more information.

County Visitors

Here are a few prime county attractions that are affiliated with La Grange and often participate in our events. For more county activities, please visit the Oldham County Tourism site.

Yew Dell Gardens (Exit 14 off I-71) (also on Facebook)
Yew Dell Gardens is the 33-acre home, gardens and arboretum of the late commercial nurseryman Theodore Klein. It is one of 13 American gardens designated as Partnership Gardens by the Garden Conservancy, a national group dedicated to preserving America’s exceptional gardens.
Winter Hours: December through March – Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer Hours: April through November – Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bluebonnets & Bluegrass Alpaca Farm (Exit 22 off I-71) (also on Facebook)
Denise and Rusty Coonley of Bluebonnets and Bluegrass Alpaca Farm have poured their hearts into their place, located in Crestwood. Their animals are happy, healthy and maybe just a little bit spoiled. They love to show off their ‘pacas. A nice stop to view the animals and to see the crafts. Just call 502-727-2072 to set up an appointment.

Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, Goshen (Exit 22 off I-71) (also on Facebook)
Developed on the family land of Virginia C. Mahan, the preserve encompasses 160 acres near Goshen, including the family home which dates from 1807, nature trails, wildlife exhibits and old springhouse. Call 502-228-4362.

Foxhollow Farm (Highway 329) (Farm store on Facebook)
Visit the Foxhollow Farm Store to purchase their 100% grass-fed beef and farm-fresh produce (tomatoes, lettuce mix, kale, turnips, snap peas and spinach to name a few!). Enjoy a cup of tea or Heine Brother’s coffee while you shop for local meats, eggs, milk, honey and more! Hike the Foxhollow Farm nature trail or enjoy a picnic at the stones. Foxhollow Farm is a proud member of the La Grange Farmers’ Market & Artisans!

Pewee Valley Confederate Cemetery (Exit 14 off I-71)
This is the only state burial ground for Southern veterans of the Civil War. In the month of May 1871, Henry Smith, one of the oldest settlers of Pewee Valley (formerly known as Smith’s Depot), enlisted the interests of a number of other prominent citizens in the laudable undertaking of establishing a public cemetery. Henry Smith was delegated to make a proper selection of a suitable plot of ground. A preliminary organization with T. H. Rhorer, Henry Smith, and S. Schuler as the executive committee was formed, and a plot was purchased in August of 1871. During the early Spring of 1872 the sections were shaped and partly graded, staked off into “lots” and planted with shade and ornamental trees, etc. During the winter of 1872, Judge P. B. Muir formulated a charter and had it presented to the Legislature in Frankfort. On July 2, 1904, at a called meeting of Directors, it was resolved to approve the assignment of Section III (containing 11,275 square feet) to the State of Kentucky for the use of the Confederate Home.