Originally a 209-acre Southern plantation, and at one time one of the largest chicken farms in Kentucky, the Willow Wood Subdivision is rich with history.
Edith Wood, who wrote Middletown’s Days and Deeds copyright 1946, wrote “A story has been handed down of one John Williamson who ran the gauntlet as a military punishment in 1781 on what is now the R. C. Day Farm” (Willow Wood Subdivision). “The gauntlet is said to have been run between two walnut trees.”
The original home in the Willow Wood subdivision is 304 Stodghill Place, which was built between 1818-1820 and still stands today. This home, at the center of the subdivision, was originally owned by John Brengman and Mary Margaret Chew Brengman. John was the son of one of Middletown's early residents and first trustees, Martin Brengman. Father and son (Martin and John) operated a stagecoach stop and tavern on Main Street in Middletown.
Martin Brengman passed away on July 31, 1813. Margaret Brengman, his widow, relinquished her rights to all property in Middletown and accepted as her dower the 209-acre plantation (our subdivision), which included the mansion-house (304 Stodghill Place), and seven of the eighteen slaves, valued at $8,825.
Later when John Brengman passed away, the home and land went to his daughter, also named Margaret, and her husband, Dr. William Fry. It became known as the Brengman-Fry home, or the Brookside Farm*.
*Beargrass Creek meandered through the acreage and in later years the estate was named “Brookside”.
Three unmarried Fry sisters sold Brookside and the land (Willow Wood subdivision) to R. C. Day around 1922. He operated a large chicken farm on the land.
Alfred W. Ott, per the 1930 federal census, was 44 years old and a farmer who owned property at Shelbyville Pike (our subdivision). He had one of the largest chicken farms and a 532 foot building that burned down, killing thousands of chickens in the late 1930’s.
The R. C. Day family sold the land in early 1942 (found reference in the Courier-Journal on 3 May 1942), and it was purchased by Howard Wesley Stodghill and family.
Amelia G. Stodghill sold the mansion and land in 1977 to Robert Westerman of Thurman Properties, the developer of Willow Wood subdivision. The original preliminary plan shows tennis courts in the common area between Willow Stone Way and New Stone Court.
A Courier-Journal article stated that Homearama on Sunday, August 23, 1981 would have 23 exciting new homes in Willow Wood and Old Dorsey Place. Homearama was held on Brookstone Court in 1981.
The cut through to Foxgate and the Willow Wood entrance from Old Harrods Creek Road were added years after our subdivision was built.
We have 209 homes in Willow Wood subdivision.
Additional Tidbits:
Edith Wood, who wrote Middletown’s Days and Deeds copyright 1946, wrote “John Brengman built a brick house in the midst of primeval trees of a gently rounded ridge-a salubrious site for his home.”
In 1824, General Marquis de Lafayette visited Brookside.
Jane Womack’s headstone is located in our subdivision. She died of cholera and for this reason she was buried a little way outside of Middletown Historical Cemetery. You can visit the grave site of the Brengmans and Frys at Middletown Historical Cemetery on Old Harrods Creek Road, adjacent to the Willow Wood Subdivision.
Thank you to Jennie Cole, The Filson Historical Society, Regan and John Ackerman, current owners of 304 Stodghill Place, Stephanie Kauffman & staff at the Middletown Museum.
