The barn, which dates to November 1918, served as The Motor School Garage building for Camp Zachary Taylor during World War I.  Although altered over time, the barn incorporates a distinctive wooden lattice truss structural system that spans 102 feet.  Originally built as a temporary structure, the wood structural elements have deteriorated over time and have begun to shift and buckle, making the building structurally unsound and unsafe.

The 2017-18 capital budget approved by Metro Council includes funding to take down the Creason barn.  The decision to remove the building is based on findings from engineering assessments that cite significant structural deficiencies in the now vacant facility.

Louisville Parks and Recreation continues to work closely with the Camp Zachary Taylor Historical Society and The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure elements of the structure are documented, salvaged and repurposed to commemorate the barn’s history.

“While we are sad to see the structure removed, we are well aware of the current condition,” said Ken Maguire, president of the Camp Zachary Taylor Historical Society. “I’m happy to be working with Louisville Metro to preserve as much of the history as possible and creating a lifetime memorial to Camp Zachary Taylor for future generations.”

Design for the new maintenance facility will begin sometime in 2018.

The structural assessments obtained by the city may be viewed at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/about-us.