In September, a motion is made by County Commissioner White to establish a park “to honor those who participated in the uniformed ranks during World War II, and particularly those from Jefferson County”. The motion failed on account of a tie vote.

In October, the Jefferson County Fiscal Court appoints a war memorial commission to consider establishment of a memorial to honor citizens who sacrificed their lives during World War II. Initial advisory members included Tom Wallace and other prominent citizens. Delegates include representatives of local veterans groups including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Spanish War Veterans, and the American Legion. Colonel Henry Stites of the American Legion was named chairman.

The Forest Commission hires Major Paul A. Yost, a former Indiana State Forester as the county forester. The Paul Yost Recreation Area (still known to many in the area as Jones Hollow or Forest View Park) is named in his honor.

Tom Wallace Lake constructed for a price of $21,377.

To combat forest fires, a 100-ft fire tower was constructed on Holsclaw Hill Road. The tower was equipped with a two-way radio. At the time, those who climbed to the top of the tower were inducted into the “Jefferson County Squirrel Club” and given a membership card so stating.

The Jefferson County Playground and Recreation Board sponsored a competitive two-mile cross-country run in the Scott’s Gap section of the forest. The intent was to make this an annual event. Various cross-country events have been held at the forest over the years. The most recent reincarnation is the “Love’n the Hills” run, an annual 30-mile “Ultra-marathon initiated in 2004.

County Forest formally dedicated on October 10, 1948 with a ceremony at Tom Wallace Lake.

Salvage logging of American Chestnut trees reported in the forest. This tree species, a major component of Kentucky hardwood forests, was wiped out by the American chestnut blight. The Horine Conference Center was partially constructed with American chestnut timbers salvaged from the then privately-owned Horine Reservation.

Land Acquisition: Schoenbeckler Tract, 5 acres.

Tom Wallace Lake officially opened for fishing – a sufficient number of bass and bluegill stocked in 1948 having reached legal size. A thousand fishermen were reported to have attended the opening day with many taking the limit.

Forest Commission purchased the 4.5-acre Mitchell Hill schoolhouse property.

Jefferson County Forest Commission agreed to advertise for bids on a fifty-year lease affecting 168 acres within the Forest View section of the forest (now Paul Yost Recreation Area). The Fiscal Court accepted a bid from Ohio River Sand, causing an uproar. Ultimately the State Court of Appeals upheld a ruling nullifying the Fiscal Court action.

WHEREAS, such program was bottomed on the idea that military personnel from Kentucky had rendered valiant service in all Wars commencing with the American Revolution and including various engagement prior to and including the War of 1812, followed by the Mexican War, both Federal and Confederate in the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II and the Korean War as a result of which there should be memorials and monuments throughout Kentucky evidencing such combat participation, including memorials to Virginia-born Kentuckians, who laid the initial foundation four this Nation’s expansion beyond the Appalachian mountains, Kentucky troops under Richard M. Johnson, who defeated the British at the Battle of Detroit and thereafter crossed the St. Clair River and again defeated the British at the Battle of Thames where Tecumseh was killed, the Battle of lake Erie commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry and the Battle of new Orleans. Such Detroit, Thames and Lake Erie battles resulted in preventing the Canadian boundary from extending from the St. Louis vicinity eastwardly through Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Buffalo and including the area extending westward to Minneapolis and St. Paul, and

WHEREAS, in the Civil War Kentucky furnished more troops to the Federal Army than many of the Northern States and more troops to the Confederate Army than many of the Southern States, and one hundred years will have passed on April 10, 1965, since the surrender at Appomattox when Robert E. Lee issued an order of surrender comparable in diction to our Declaration of Independence, and

WHEREAS, additional acreage adjacent to and comparable with the County forest is available for private purchase and development by veteran and other groups as war memorials, including bridle paths and hiking trails both in Jefferson and Bullitt Counties, so as to encourage the creation of dude ranch accommodations within reach of Louisville’s hotel and motel facilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE It RESOLVED that this Recreation Board does, on this 25th day of march, 1965, at its regular meeting, hereby recommend to the Fiscal Court that they Jefferson County forest be a Memorial to Kentucky War Veterans and does hereby invite veteran and other groups to develop memorial and other suitable projects within the area adjacent to said forest so that the scenic beauty and possibilities of such area will become recognized on a national scale as a memorial and other features are developed.

Forest View Loop Trail renamed the Mitch McConnell Loop Trail.

"Brown Shelter" converted from an open air pavilion into an environmental Education Center.

Playground replaced at Tom Wallace Recreation Area.

Interior and grounds of Environmental Education Center renovated with updated exhibits including bird blind, native plant garden, and pond.

Major thunderstorms decimate part of the Horine Reservation. Popular group campsite #2, “the pines” severely damaged.

Fire Tower on Holsclaw Hill Road dismantled due to lack of use and deteriorated condition.

A veterans monument is placed at the Welcome Center to highlight the role of the Jefferson Memorial Forest as a woodland tribute those Kentuckians who have served our nation honorably.

The additions of the 83-acre Cannady property and the nearby 61-acre Lamkin property.