From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Taylor, James T. "Big Jim" [Harrods Creek, KY]

(born: 1885  -  died: 1965) 

James T. Taylor developed the Harrods Creek community in Jefferson County, KY. He purchased the land in 1919 and sold lots to African Americans.

The Jacob School was built in 1916, named for Jefferson Jacob, a former slave. Students came from Harrods Creek and nearby African American communities such as The Neck and Happy Hollow,  neither of which still exist. The school and the community are recognized with a Kentucky Historical Marker [#2038].

James Taylor, raised by his grandmother, grew up to become a farmer, school bus driver, road and bridge builder, and president of the James T. Taylor Real Estate Co. Wilson Lovett was vice president of the company, Joseph Ray, Sr. secretary, and Abram L. Simpson manager.

For more see B. Pike, “Looking back: subdivision may be named after early developer,” Courier-Journal, 8/28/2002, Neighborhoods section, p. 1N; D. R. Smith, “Cover Story: 40059,” The Lane Report, September 2006; and "James T. Taylor Subdivision Historic District Nomination," 12/29/2014.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Jefferson County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Harrods Creek, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Happy Hollow, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about The Neck, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Item Relations

Cited in this Entry

NKAA Entry: Lovett, Wilson Stephen
NKAA Entry: Ray, Joseph R., Sr.
NKAA Entry: Simpson, Abram Lyon
NKAA Source: Courier-Journal [Louisville] (newspaper)
NKAA Source: The Lane report (periodical)

Related Entries Citing this Entry

NKAA Entry: African American Schools in Louisville and Jefferson County, KY

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Taylor, James T. "Big Jim" [Harrods Creek, KY],” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed July 26, 2024, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/index.php/items/show/1511.

Last modified: 2021-05-19 15:42:43