Newsletter Summer 2024

Deed Searching

- Roger Reynolds & Melissa A. Wilson

As you may be aware, the dates listed on properties on the Fayette Property Valuation Administration website are typically off by a couple of years as to when our houses were built. Instead, the following type of deed search can prove the age of our houses.

Title Search on 117 Desha Road

The Ashland Park Subdivision lies in the northern and western corner of the original 525 acre farm purchased by Henry Clay in a series of transactions between 1804 and 1830. The estate was sold several times after 1865 until Henry Clay McDowell Sr., (not a blood relative of Henry Clay but married to Clay’s granddaughter Anne Clay McDowell) purchased the farm in April, 1884. Henry Sr. died in November, 1899 and appointed his son Henry Jr. as trustee for the six McDowell siblings. The children agreed to sell a significant portion of the property for development and Henry Jr. employed the Olmsted Brothers landscape firm in 1904 to plan the subdivision. The Olmsted firm prepared a series of plats outlining their vision of the neighborhood between 1904 and 1915. Although streets, utilities and even a trolley line were physically in place, no lots were sold for development until Henry McDowell Jr as trustee sold the subdivision to a syndicate including James T. Stone on July 6, 1919 for the then unheard-of price of $175,000. This transaction is documented in the Fayette County Clerk’s office deed records at Deed book 195, page 5 (hereinafter cited as “195/5”.) The Stone syndicate sold the property then to Security Trust Bank (196/74), which bank sold approximately 60 lots at auction in August, 1919.
 
The house at 117 Desha sits on Lots 12 and 13 of Block A as shown on the final plat for the subdivision. T.J. Cassidy bought lots 10, 11, 12 and 13 at the lot auction on August 9, 1919. Based on the City Directory for 1923, it does not appear there was a house at 117 Desha until T.J. Cassidy sold lots 12 and 13 to Callie and J.C Brandenburg on April 12, 1924. Book 223, p. 537
 
The PVA lists the present house as built in 1929 but it seems more likely to have been built in 1924 or 1925, as the Brandenburgs lived at that address until they “sold” it to the Citizens Bank and Trust, possibly in foreclosure, on May 25, 1933. 277/609. Citizens Bank sold the house to Robert and Serelda O’Dear on June 28, 1937. (297/577)
 
The O’Dears lived in the house until they sold it to Joe and Mildred Brumbacher on June 28, 1952 for $16,000. (523/196). Joe Brumbacher sold the house to Anna and W.H. Bassham on October 7, 1955 for $26,166.73. (587/329)
 
On June 2, 1956, Elsworth, Frances, and Lillian Gillespie purchased the property from the Bassham’s (601/199) ; Lillian Gillespie, the only surviving member of the family, in turn sold the house to Henry and Aletha Armatis on April 23, 1976. (1144/1370)
 
Which brings us to the present owners, Melissa A. Wilson and Richard Allen Ford, who bought the house on August 31, 2006 from the Armatis for $350,000.

- Roger Reynolds

Purchase of 117 Desha Rd in 2006 

To me, this progression over time illustrated by each deed transfer as explained by my back door neighbor, Roger Reynolds is extremely interesting. My husband, Rick Ford and I had been looking for houses in this area for three years! Interest rates were around 8%. The houses that we were interested in either sold for cash more than the asking price or sold before we could even enter the home to take a look. My very good friend, Leslie Dodd who lives on Desha called me one Saturday afternoon and said that her neighbor across the street had just placed a for sale by owner sign in her yard. I grabbed my two-year-old son and immediately drove over and knocked on the door. The owner, a widow, told me that I would have to make an appointment with a friend from her church who was assisting her with the sale. The first appointment available was the next Monday morning at 9 AM which I was unable to keep as I was in court. I knew I would not be out of court by 10 AM either so I made an appointment for 11 AM. Then I recruited two of my friends to fill in both the 9 AM appointment and the 10 AM appointment so that no one else could see the house and buy it before I could get there. I made an offer upon arrival and signed a contract that I drafted myself following my 11 AM appointment. Subsequently, we gutted the house, top to bottom, plus built a four-story brick addition on the back! Then in 2008 when we finally moved in the housing market spectacularly collapsed. But we have no regrets!

If your deed search shows that your home is now 100 years old, let us know and we'll deliver a yard sign for all to admire!

- Melissa A. Wilson

New APNA Landscaping
- Melissa A. Wilson

With funds raised by our Ashland Park Neighborhood Association we have been able to underwrite new landscaping for the gateway into our neighborhood from East High. We have a new boxwoods, hostas, and Oakleaf hydrangeas for all to admire. Thank you to our volunteers for maintaining this green space. Additional landscaping has been begun around the curve on the second green space as you drive up South Hanover towards Richmond Road. If there any neighbors with green thumbs that would like to help maintain or add plantings, please let us know. Traveling on up South Hanover, please notice our new trees (that can be identified by the "gator bags" for watering purchased by APNA a few years ago for newly planted trees then and now re-used). The City donated two Redbuds, two Dogwoods, and two Buckeyes. All of us are very grateful to Bill Loggins for coordinating this along with Chair of the Tree and Landscaping Committee, Roger Reynolds. And thank you to Janie Fergus and John Myers, Carol and Robbie Carter, and Julie and Roger Reynolds for volunteering to water our new trees. Please also notice the beautiful blooming flowers and numerous flowerpots in our green spaces on South Hanover, Slashes, and in Harvey Park. Thank you also to those volunteers who donated the flowers and who keep them healthy with watering. Gratitude goes to Sara Smith, Frances Short, and Melissa A Wilson.

Beware the Bite: The Hidden Dangers of Mosquito Sprays

As summer approaches and mosquito season kicks into high gear, many of us turn to mosquito sprays to keep these pesky insects at bay. While these sprays can be effective, it's important to be aware of their potential dangers.

Health Risks

Mosquito sprays often contain chemicals like DEET and permethrin, which can pose health risks, especially with prolonged exposure. Short-term effects may include skin irritation, headaches, and dizziness. Long-term exposure has been linked to more serious health issues, such as neurological damage and hormone disruption.

Environmental Impact

These chemicals don’t just disappear once sprayed. They can linger in the air, settle on plants, and contaminate soil and water sources. This can harm beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, disrupt local ecosystems, and even affect pets and wildlife.

Safer Alternatives

Consider using natural repellents like citronella candles, essential oils (e.g., lemon eucalyptus), or installing mosquito nets. Eliminating standing water around your home, where mosquitoes breed, can significantly reduce their population.

By staying informed and choosing safer alternatives, we can protect our health and the environment while still enjoying a mosquito-free summer.

April 2nd Storm Damage
- Melissa A. Wilson

On April 2nd a destructive storm demolished too many of our grand old heritage trees for blocks around especially on the third block of Desha and on Fontaine. Fontaine, along with other Chevy Chase streets, was closed for many days due to giant trees being down across the street blocking car travel. Please consider replanting those trees that reach great heights so that our tree canopy can be maintained in the proper proportions. See the Lexington Fayette County Urban government website for recommended street trees and the desired percentage of the tallest trees.

Another Neighborly Reminder

Please remember to cut back any tree limbs and bushes near sidewalks. Keeping these areas clear ensures safe passage for our many pedestrians and dogs and helps maintain the beauty of our neighborhood. Thank you for your cooperation!

 
Lex Grow Trees - APNA City Grant Application Efforts
- Elizabeth Hardwick

The Ashland Park Neighborhood Association is applying for a City grant, Lex Grow Trees. The goal of Lex Grow Trees is to continue a proper mix of appropriate street and to facilitate many existing tree-related initiatives in our community. In February 2022, the Council allocated $1.5 Million of City funds for supporting and improving Lexington’s tree canopy. 
 
There are four main areas of focus by Lex Grow Trees :

• Monetization of community and neighborhood tree advocates and stewards;
• Tree planting;
• Tree Maintenance; and
• Tree Education

However, in order for neighborhoods to be eligible for this grant to pay for new trees, each neighborhood association must have 80% membership of homeowners in that neighborhood. If you know of neighbors who are not members, please recruit them to join Ashland Park Neighborhood Association. Spread the word to meet this mandate so we can plant the correct type trees in our neighborhood with the appropriate height and age span.