Crestwood in Oldham County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

History of the Maples Park

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

1. History of the Maples Park Marker

Inscription. Known historically as “The Maples,” these beautiful 22 acres was once use for small-scale farming and countryside enjoyment. Purchased at the turn of the 20th century, Henry L. Ott (1878-1933) and his wife Margaret Klaus Ott (1887-1958) named the property after the dense maple tree plantings along the former entry from Highway 146 (see image middle right). Henry Ott was a philanthropist and partial owner & founder of American Standard Plumbing. Prior to moving permanently to Crestwood in 1917, the family added many unique buildings for farming and country living. Many of these historic structures are still on the property. Refer to the below diagram. There are barns formerly used for livestock, equipment and laundry as well as a garage, greenhouse, two small “girls” and “boys” playhouses and a unique two-story limestone “tea house.” In the 1960's, Henry and Margaret's daughter, Mary Louise Ott Fanelli (1919-2002), and husband, Vincent Fanelli (1918-2014) built a modern home to encompass the original one-story wood frame home in the same location. This is the residential building at the park in which within its walls evidence

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of the original frame home can be found. Gardens encircled the tea house, majestic trees were planted and there was a small fishing pond at the head of the stream near the rear entrance of the park. The property was purchased by the City of Crestwood in 2009 from Vince Fanelli, a community servant to the South Oldham Lions, Crestwood Methodist Church, Duncan Memorial Chapel & Camp Kavanaugh, to provide opportunities for recreation and entertainment for Crestwood.

[Captions]
• (Top) Front of original historic house at The Maples circa 1920. The current 1960s home encompasses this historic home. Courtesy the Fanelli family.
• (Middle) Original entrance off Highway 146 to “The Maples” circa the 1920s. Note the inscription of “The Maples” on the left stone pier and “H.L. Ott” (Henry L. Ott) on the right stone pier. Courtesy the Fanelli family.
• (Bottom) Fanelli family at “The Maples” circa 1960; Vincent Fanelli circa 1940; Mary Louise Ott Fanelli and her mother Margaret Klaus Ott circa 1928. Courtesy the Fanelli family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 38° 19.422′ N,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

2. History of the Maples Park Marker

85° 28.619′ W. Marker is in Crestwood, Kentucky, in Oldham County. It can be reached from Ballardsville Road (State Highway 22) 0.3 miles west of State Route 329, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6826 KY-22, Crestwood KY 40014, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Farming Community Around The Maples Park (within shouting distance of this marker); CSA Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Annie Fellows Johnston (approx. 1.1 miles away); Pewee Valley (approx. 1.2 miles away); Confederate Home Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Richard James Oglesby (approx. 2.7 miles

The Maples – main house image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

3. The Maples – main house

away); David Wark Griffith (approx. 3.8 miles away); Isaac Hite's Home / Isaac Hite (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crestwood.

The Maples – barns and greenhouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

4. The Maples – barns and greenhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 925 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.