WELCOME TO LA GRANGE
My Kind of Town
La Grange, KY, offers a rich and charming history that makes it a delightful destination for tourists. Founded in the early 19th century, La Grange has preserved its small-town charm while showcasing significant historical landmarks and unique attractions. The town is best known for its picturesque Main Street, where visitors can see a train running right through the heart of downtown, creating a unique and nostalgic atmosphere.
Originally settled in 1827, La Grange developed as a commercial hub due to its strategic location along the railroad. The historic district features beautifully restored buildings, housing a variety of boutiques, cafes, and antique shops, offering a glimpse into the town’s vibrant past. One of the highlights is the La Grange Railroad Museum, which provides an immersive experience into the town’s rich railroading history. The museum showcases vintage railroad cars, equipment, and artifacts, making it a must-visit for train enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
The Oldham County History Center provides in-depth exhibits and guided tours, allowing tourists to learn about the area’s history, including its Civil War significance and the stories of its early settlers. Notably, La Grange is home to two locations listed on the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. These sites highlight the town’s critical role in the abolitionist movement, offering visitors a profound understanding of this significant part of American history.
La Grange also hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, drawing visitors with activities like the annual Oldham County Day parade, farmer’s markets, and art shows. These events celebrate local culture and community spirit, making La Grange a lively and welcoming place for tourists.
Overall, La Grange, KY, invites visitors to step back in time and experience the charm of a historic American small town, with plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining, and enjoying local history and culture.
BE KIND OLDHAM COUNTY
Two sisters are spreading kindness throughout Oldham County with just two simple words: Be kind.
Rylyn Richins, left, and Raegan Richins, right, hold the hand-painted signs they have created through their campaign called Be Kind Oldham County. Proceeds from each sign are donated to a local charity of the donor’s choice.
Raegan Richins, 10, and Rylyn Richins, 8, have started a new campaign called Be Kind Oldham County.
Raegan and Rylyn said they came up with the idea after they saw signs in Larue County that said, “Just be kind.”
“We believe that we can do more than just be kind, we can be courageous,” Raegan explained. “We can be an example. So our signs they say ‘be kind,’ instead of ‘just be kind.’”
Each one-of-a-kind sign is hand painted by Raegan and Rylyn, with the occasional help of mom Rhonda Richins, dad, La Grange Police Officer Ryan Richins and their three siblings who have Down Syndrome.
Less than a week after creating Be Kind Oldham County, the girls had sold nearly 100 signs and gained over 500 followers on Facebook.
Raegan and Rylyn told the Era they hoped to bring the idea into the school year at Locust Grove Elementary.
Thanks to an anonymous donor, a Be Kind sign will be placed at every school in the Oldham County Schools district.
“It’s always a good thing to promote kindness in our schools and we are excited to see the girls’ artwork displayed,” Oldham County Schools Director of Communications Lori McDowell said. “We hope these posters spark acts of kindness throughout our district.”
The girls hopes to remind their peers and the community that a small gesture can go a long way.
“You can be kind in many different ways. You can sit next to somebody that’s alone, you can just smile at somebody, those little things that Oldham County needs,” Raegan said.
“It’s better to make a change once in our life every once in a while,” Rylyn said.
The kind signs are available for $10, and proceeds are donated to the donor’s choice of Pillar, Humane Society of Oldham County, Guns N’ Hoses, the Hope Health Clinic or Blessings in a Backpack.
Article written by Amanda Manning at The Oldham Era.
To order a sign or see where the girls will be set up locally, visit Be Kind Oldham County on Facebook.