All About LagrangeLa Grange was named for Château de la Grange-Bléneau, the French country estate of Gilbert du Motier, the American Revolutionary hero better known as the Marquis de Lafayette,La Grange is the local seat of government for Oldham County with a population of 9,000 (2020). This is a rural community that has many residential structures, stores, 2 banks, 2 hotels, county courthouse, jailers residence, city hall, post office, lodge hall, 3 churches, 2 depots, funeral home and the city water tower. Many of these structures date back to the mid 1800’s to early 1900’s. La Grange's 2 historic railroad depots are also in the district: Louisville and Nashville Depot and Louisville and Eastern Electric Railroad Passenger and Freight depot. La Grange provided a very unusual example of a railroad town in which the railroad totally dominates the community's main commercial street by bringing all traffic to a halt when a train passes. The early date of this rail explains this unusual feature. LA Grange was founded in 1827 and was incorporated in 1840. The Ohio River was probably the area's only transportation resource along with the horse and cart so when the railroad approached the town the residents wanted this new transport and to have it be the highlight of their town. They had it put down the middle of the street and this suited the railroad company as it made the best route thru the area. When the right of way for the track was planned, railroad officials and La Grange city fathers did not predict the future inconvenience that would be caused by routing a railroad down the narrow, 66 foot wide street. As the city began to develop it took over the surrounding land. In the early 1900”s the automobile emerged. The railroad continued to run trains through the town and was not bothered by the increase in automobiles and roadways. After a while the trains were getting in the way but they needed to coexist. Steam engines on this line ended which was a relief to residents. No more soot all over everything like they had been getting for several decades. Once steam stopped being used it was not possible anymore to divert the train line. The city had used up all the surrounding land so the railroad had to use what was there. To be able to re-route the tracks the railroad would need to buy all the surrounding land. Passenger train operation stopped in 1970. Now there are many industries that use CSX to transport their goods and the tracks remain as they were originally laid Did you know there was another railway line to this town? Read all about the Trolly Line here. |