Farming Community Around The Maples Park

Farming Community Around The Maples Park. . The area east of the Maples Park was originally known as “Beard's Station” and was a stop along local stagecoach routes. With the introduction of the railroad, the name was shortened to “Beard” and subsequently “Crestwood,” in 1909, after locals were tired of hearing train engineers jokingly yell “Whiskers” instead. Crestwood's surrounding rolling countryside was perfect for large-scale farming and as such, Oldham County farmers depended heavily on the Louisville markets to sell their crops. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad tracks, laid through town in 1869, allowed farmers to load the train with local produce and goods at the local train depot. Crops cultivated in the area were wheat and corn which required a thresher to speed up processing. In the late 1800s, only three steam-powered threshers were owned in all of Oldham County so farmers would rent the use of a neighbor's to “thresh” the wheat and corn. Threshing is the process of loosening the edible part of grain from the chaff or husk so it can be bagged and sold. In 1901, the Interurban train line was extended and linked Crestwood to Louisville bringing more business. In the 1950's, Crestwood became nationally famous for its production of orchard grass. The popularity of this pasture seed led the South Oldham Lions Club to hold an annual Orchard Grass festival in Crestwood to help promote the crop. Since “The Maples” was once a small-scale farm, it was only fitting that the design of the park retain the farming theme and many original structures remain. The Deibel Barn replicates the former Dairy Barn, the playground and sprayground display farm implements and imaginary planted fields and the park's rolling hills remain open as the pasture once did., [Captions] , Top row: The Ott family with farm animals at The Maples circa 1920s. Courtesy the Fanelli family , Middle row: , . ‘Before’ photo of the Dairy Barn , . Reconstructed Deibel Barn used for city meetings, events and rentals , Bottom row:
. Beard's Station from the 1879 Beers and Lanagan historic map , . Farmers operating a steam-powered thresher on the Kilngenfus Farm (now South Oldham High School) circa 1920. Courtesy: The Oldham County Historical Society , . Louisville and Nashville Railroad/Louisville and Eastern Electric Railroad (interurban) Depot. The depot later became the town post office and barber shop. Courtesy Oldham County Historical Society