Early county court records and various other documents refer to the early development of La Grange as “the Crossroads.” This area served as a watering hole for travelers as they made their way from Louisville to New Castle and Westport to Shelbyville. Many of these early travelers were enchanted with “the Crossroads” and began to settle in the area.
In 1796 a land surveyor from Virginia named William Taylor arrived at The Crossroads. As a surveyor, Taylor received one-ninth of the land he surveyed, which became a substantial amount and became known as “Big Foot Billie” because he owned so much land.
By early 1827, many Oldham County residents became dissatisfied with the location of the county seat in Westport. William Taylor, who was instrumental in the formation of the county from parts of Shelby, Jefferson and Henry, felt the county seat should be more centrally located. A vote was held and Taylor’s initiative was successful, The Crossroads became the county seat. Later, Taylor suggested The Crossroads be officially named La Grange, meaning the farm, in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette who visited La Grange and who owned an estate in France by that name.
With the expansion of the railroad in the 1850s, La Grange’s population started to increase greatly. Over the next 150 years La Grange became the largest city in Oldham County.
FAMOUS PEOPLE AND PLACES
La Grange is the birthplace of renowned silent film artist David Wark (D.W.) Griffith. Born here on January 22, 1875, he was on of the pioneers of contemporary filmmaking and often cited as the single most important figure in the history of American cinema—and the most controversial. Griffith initially directed “shorts” but embarked on an ambitious production based upon Thomas Dixon's novel The Clansman, which ultimately became known as Birth of a Nation (1915) -- the first feature length epic film of American cinema. A home Griffith purchased for his mother sits near the corner of 4th Avenue and Madison Street.
The founder of the Order of the Eastern Star, Rob Morris, lived in La Grange from 1862 to 1888. Visitors can tour the architecturally significant weatherboard house on Washington Street.
Buddy Pepper (born as Jack Stackey) is a La Grange native. Buddy Pepper was born on Aprll 22, 1922 and by age 5 was singing, dancing and playing piano in vaudeville shows and quickly moved into movies. As a teenage motion picture actor, Buddy Pepper starred in numerous films, among them: Golden Hoofs with Jane Withers and Men of Boystown with Spencer Tracy. His musical talent quickly led into song writing and he became the personal accompanist/arranger for Marlene Dietrich and good friend Judy Garland. Buddy is credited with the title song for Pillow Talk starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day and Portrait in Black starring Lana Turner and Anthony Quinn. But he is best known for “Vaya con Dios”, which is the best selling international standard with over 300 versions recorded.
La Grange and Oldham County offer many scenic vistas of horse farms and rolling hills. Just north of La Grange is U.S Highway 42, designated as a Kentucky Scenic Highway. About 10 minutes northwest of La Grange is Hermitage Farm, one of the most internationally famous thoroughbred horse farms producing a Kentucky Derby winner, Breeder's Cup winner and Kentucky Oaks winner.
