Dove Point Residents Assoc.

History of Dove Point

HISTORY OF DOVE POINT SUBDIVISION LAND

The original owner was Joseph A. Sweeney who was a decorated officer in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In recognition of his loyal service in the Army, the Commonwealth of Virginia rewarded him with a land grant of 1,000 acres in a territory that would become Jefferson County in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The location of this land is described in deed books in the Jefferson County Courthouse. The Sweeney land covered an area east of Jeffersontown, lying to the north and south of Taylorsville Road that did not exist at that time.

The Sweeney homestead still exists and is located approximately 500-700 yards east of Old Heady Road on the north side of Taylorsville Road. A little farther east is Sweeney Lane on the south side of Taylorsville Road. This road leads to additional acreage that was part of the Sweeney land grant.

In the 1850s, Joseph Sweeney’s daughter married Mr. Ben Tyler. They were deeded a tract of land of 50 acres, “more or less,” on which they built their home. This 50-acre plot laid on the east side of Old Heady Road. An additional tract of 24 acres, “more or less,” adjoining the 50 acres on the south side belonged to another Sweeney relative and became the 74 acres, “more or less,” that were purchased by Dr. Benjamin Dean and his wife, Moiree C. Dean in 1923 from the descendants of the Sweeney and Tyler families.

Dr. Benjamin Dean was a prominent citizen of this community for many years. He was a respected dentist with an office in the middle of Jeffersontown Square. Mrs. Dean was a schoolteacher. Her last appointment was that of teaching chemistry at Eastern High School. She also was very involved in community and church activities. Dr. and Mrs. Dean were members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Lowe Road.

In 1961, Dr. and Mrs. C. K. Dixon, Jr., moved from south Louisville in the Iroquois Park area, to a home on Old Heady Road, adjacent to the Dean property. (Mr. and Mrs. Larry Helm now live in that house.) Dr. Dixon continued to practice medicine in the Shively area where he had started in 1955 after completing his medical internship. The Dixon family, including 6 children, became acquainted with their wonderful neighbors, Dr. and Mrs. Dean. The Deans had no children, but they were always most gracious and welcoming to the Dixon children.

In 1963, Mrs. Dean called Dr. Dixon to their home to see Dr. Dean who was ill and required subsequent hospitalization. In the months following his recovery, Dr. Dean discussed with Dr. Dixon the possibility of selling the Dean farm to the Dixon’s. In December 1964, the Dixon’s signed an agreement to purchase the Dean property. Dr. and Mrs. Dixon sold their small 14-acre “farm,” and in 1965 purchased the Dean farm. Dr. Dixon’s family moved into the original home of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Tyler where the Deans also had lived. The Dixon Family lived in that house until the construction of their new house was completed in 1966. The original Tyler house no longer exists. The Dixon’s house still exists at what is now 4519 Dove Park Boulevard.

The Dixon’s dream was to have a home in the “country” where they could raise their six children and enjoy a happy, healthful life. They felt this would give their children good experiences in taking care of animals, gardening and teaching responsibility while providing them with plenty of space to play. This proved to be a very wise decision. (Also, Dr. Dixon was a “country boy” who had always lived in the country, and we all know that old adage about county boys!)

Dr. Dixon, always a lover of horses, began to raise saddle-bred foals, pigs and almost any other animals with two or four legs. He harvested hay, corn, tomatoes, soybeans, and a great variety of other vegetables on his farm. He also built a greenhouse where bedding plants, vegetable plants, and hanging baskets were produced – and sold! His sons especially loved the fruits of their labor, and his daughters developed a love of animals. They learned to ride and show pleasure horses in many of the Kentucky County Fairs.

The farmland had several large springs. The best one was located on the east side of the 50 acre section and was a consistent producer of cool, sweet and clear water. Dr. Dean said the springhouse was built around 1855 of hard, hand-hewn limestone found on the property. Around 1930, there was a severe drought and many neighboring farmers were desperate for drinking water. They came to his farm with horse-drawn wagons and filled their wooden barrels at the springhouse. The Dixon’s installed an electric pump in the springhouse and for many years enjoyed the ice-cold, sweet water – that was almost like nectar – especially during the hot summer months. Several of the springhouse stones decorate the backyard of the Dixon home.

In 1968, Dr. Dixon became acquainted with Mr. Lawrence Landherr who farmed the land that is now Landherr Estates on Taylorsville Road. He spoke with Mr. Landherr of his need to create a watershed or a lake for the needs of his horses. Mr. Landherr volunteered to build the lake with his bulldozer. He made the lake 30 feet deep in the center and placed a large drainpipe in the bottom. The pipe extended to the outer side of the dam. This afforded the opportunity to drain the lake easily, if it ever became necessary. The lake was fed by the underground springs. The lake was then stocked with large-mouth bass and bluegill fish.

For many years, the Dixon’s enjoyed swimming and fishing in the lake. Dr. Dixon rigged a “diving board,” anchored to one bank. The boys always dived to the depths of the lake and came up refreshed from the coolness of the deep spring water. The girls learned to dive, and one daughter became a lifeguard during her school years.

One other particular spot is still in the hearts of the Dixon children. It is an area at the east end of Trump Avenue – the most eastern part of the farm. The kids named this area their “humble abode.” There was a small stream across this part that was surrounded by large oak, cedar and ash trees. This stream could be crossed by stepping on stones scattered throughout the shallow stream. This area was their private camping ground where they brought their many friends to enjoy weekend and summer “camp outs.”

Where your houses are standing, there once were lush pastures where broodmares grazed with their healthy young foals.

After the children were grown and off to college, Dr. Dixon built a grass landing strip where Dixon Park Boulevard is now. He enjoyed flying a small Aeronca Champ in and out of that field and continued to enjoy that luxury for ten years until a decision was made to develop Dove Point Subdivision.

The name Dove Point was chosen as a tribute to the many doves that made this farm their home, and to this day, still do. They come by the dozens in the winter to the bird feeders at the Dixon house. The Canada Geese and a variety of ducks moved in after the lake was developed. Many flocks raised their young here and were frequently treated to grain at the barn where the horses were fed and trained. It wasn’t uncommon for 20-30 geese to walk down the long gravel drive to enjoy their treat. Probably, it’s their offspring who still consider the lake their home.

Don’t be alarmed if some day or night you hear the nicker of a mare and her small foal – or the laughter and voices of children (other than your own) at play outside your home. They’re just the echoes of the past.