Press Release Date (May 19, 2021)
Oldham County History Center Announces
J.C. Barnett Champion of Oldham County History Award
for Annual Gala on July 20, 2021
The Board of Directors of the Oldham County History Center announced Bob Jones as the recipient of the J.C. Barnett Champion of Oldham County History. Bob will be honored at the 2021 Annual Gala at Ashbourne Farms Event Center on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bob’s family moved back to their Kentucky roots in 1953 where Bob attended 8th grade at Crestwood and then graduated from Oldham County High School in 1958. A business graduate from the University of Kentucky, Bob began developing real estate in Louisville and formed a partnership with Harvey Child called Kelly Homes.
In 1975 Bob married the love of his life, Carla Jane Clore and began real estate developments in Oldham County with his first successful development, the Briar Hill Subdivision that quickly expanded into more acreage such as Briar Hill Estates. Bob often partnered with his father-in-law, June Clore, until Clore’s death in 1975.
In 1975 Bob ran for the House of Representatives in the Kentucky Legislature and served 6 terms over 13 years. In those years, his district included Oldham, Trimble, Gallatin and Carroll Counties. He served on the Appropriations Revenue Committee and chaired the Committee for Transportation. One of his successes was his work on the prevailing wage laws where he fought for taking the bid process out of institutions of learning such as schools, universities and libraries, which saved thousands of dollars for construction on these public institutions. Governor Julian Carroll credited Bob for saving the state, $20 million on personal service contracts.
Bob and Carla Jane had three children, Ann, Clay and Gant and seven grandchildren. They bought a 50-acre farm outside of Brownsboro where they have lived since 1976. Their three children all went to Oldham County schools and now several of their grandchildren are graduates as well from Oldham County.
Bob and Carla are avid gardeners and have enjoyed their farm, raising cattle, horses and English pointers. Bob has been a bird dog hunter since he was 12 when he began hunting pheasant with his dad. Today Bob has hunted quail in most of the western United States.
Besides being a longtime supporter of the Oldham County History Center, Bob has participated in many civic projects for Oldham County. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce in the early years where they developed the first county map. He has been a staunch supporter for Oldham County Schools and donated land for many projects such as: obtaining state funding for the first Vocational School in Oldham County; parceled donated land (including family property) for the Crestwood bypass that helped create the South Oldham School campus; help provide temporary funding for a school building; donated 50 acres to the Oldham County schools; negotiated various parcels for future school lands; and served on the board for the Oldham County Education Foundation. Bob also donated land for the Crestwood Library and with other partners, the LaGrange Library.
Bob served as the first chairman of the county’s Boy Scout fundraising dinners and chaired the Sporting Clay’s fund raiser that contributed $200,000 for the local Lincoln Heritage Council. As a long time, member of the Crestwood Christian Church, Bob helped raise money for the building fund and served as Trustee for many years.
Today Bob has formed a partnership with his two sons, Clay and Gant, called the Jones Group, that includes various aspects of building and land development. Their newest project, Clore Station, is a 500-acre development between the Crestwood Bypass and Interstate 71, part of which is located on the Clore Farm which has been in the family since 1808. Plans include a mixed-use development with lots of green space and trails.
The theme for this year’s Gala is a take on the James Bond movie “Goldfinger”. The event is held at The Show Barn at Ashbourne Farm. The historic Show Barn was once the largest shorthorn cattle auction barn in Kentucky that drew a worldwide audience. The Show Barn underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation to host various events and occasions in the area. Ashbourne Farms is the only full-service facility that offers true farm-to-table options. The Executive Chef uses with the season’s freshest ingredients from the garden and the menu revolves around the daily harvest. Individual ticket sales for $150 will begin June 10 and include a full course dinner and open bars featuring Brown-Forman products. Please contact the Oldham County History Center for more information.
Oldham County History Center
106 N. Second Ave.
LaGrange, KY. 40031
502.222.0826
Email: info@oldhamkyhistory.org Website: www.oldhamkyhistory.com