of Progress 
| 
Leouts &. HFtillenmeyer meee See 
OVI, OW Ftillenmeyer pcoeicton Hector Francis Hillenmeyer 
Having completed courses in agriculture at the University of Kentucky, Louis E. and Walter W., 
the two youngest of six.children of Hector Francis Hillenmeyer, took over their father’s business 
in 1910. Like all of their predecessors they had been well grounded in the fundamentals of the 
nursery business and came into management of a family heritage which had been well cared for 
and cherished for almost seventy years. 
While the business was in an admirable condition it was not extensive, comprising about fifty 
acres of actual nursery stock. It was largely devoted to fruit trees and the production of fruit 
of various kinds. It was about this time that modern landscaping came into its own and there 
seems to have been reborn the desire and urge for gardens, pools, trees, plants and flowers. 
The slogan, ‘It’s not a home until it’s planted,’’ had an appeal to most everyone. 
With foresight, energy, and teamwork, the third generation was quick to grasp the possibilities 
of the rising need for the best in plant material and immediately began to provide it. 
In 1915 they acquired the old cotton and distillery property from the Kentucky Distillers and 
Warehouse Company and immediately started to convert it into a modern nursery storage and 
packing house. The office was removed from the residence of H. F. Hillenmeyer where it had 
been for forty years and the new plant put into operation. With large storage cellars and other 
facilities available an expansive program was started to utilize the buildings and ground to more 
advantage. Advertisements were carried in about sixty papers and a large landscape and mail 
order business was developed and soon they were shipping trees and plants for a large mail order 
house into almost every state. 
As the demand for fruit trees diminished more and more landscape development took place 
and the moving of large specimens became quite a part of the business. A complete line of 
nursery stock was produced, the best of the tried and tested trees and plants were then available. 
| Thus through the twenty-five years of the third generation the business grew in size and 
| importance until it was recognized as one of the most complete and best retail nurseries in 
the country. 
In 1935, Walter W. Hillenmeyer died, at the age of 44. Though young, he was recognized as a 
man of unusual ability. He had served as president of the Kentucky, Southern and National 
Associations of Nurserymen, and many other organizations. His death was a severe loss to the» 
nursery industry in general and the community in which he lived. 
Of him a Lexington newspaperman said: ‘’The community has known no better citizen than 
Walter Hillenmeyer. Able, energetic, keen, he combined with a natural aptitude for his business 
a warm friendliness and an honest candor that won him respect and sincere good wishes from 
all with whom he came in contact. To an unusual dearee, too, he appreciated the obligation of 
citizenship and discharged it with distinction through his services to any number of worthy : 
community causes. In extending its condolence to his family, the community does so with a Walter W. Hillenmeyer 
feeling of deep loss. Not often does any locality have such a man as Walter Hillenmeyer.”’ 
After the death of his younger brother, the responsibility of carrying on fell upon the shoulders 
of Louis E. Hillenmeyer. Never had two men worked in closer accord. As brothers, friends, com- 
panions and associates, their lives were almost inseparable. Never a day passed, when at the 
nursery together, that they did not consult, plan and then try to execute so as to keep the 
Hillenmeyer name a symbol of efficiency and that which is best. Yes, there were differences of 
opinion, but never a discord. The desire to accomplish was always uppermost in their minds. 
Walter had charge of the office, Louis the outside. Both loved their work. Both had confidence 
in each other, a combination which should have succeeded. 
Louis Hillenmeyer has always been interested in public affairs and shared his time and energy 
to make the community a better place in which to live. He has been a member or served as an 
officer of various commissions, clubs, organizations, such as Board of Trustees, University of 
Kentucky, Zoning Commission; State, Southern and National Nurserymen Association; Rotary 
Club; Director of Bank; Insurance Company; Gas Co., etc. 
While he has given thirty years to the continuation and further development of the nursery, 
and now serves as its executive head, his ope and ambition is that he has trained two young 
men—the fourth generation—to carry on that heritage which becomes dearer and dearer as time 
goes on, especially in this changing world. 
Louis c. Htillenmeyer, d le Fourth — 
(Walter OY. Ftillenmeyer, dr. Generation 
“Some businesses grow old with years, others continue young and vigorous.” 


Sa SS 
Thus before the turn of our 100th Anniversary, in 1936, there came new blood into our 
organization in the persons of Louis Jr. and Walter Jr. Thoroughly qualified for the business 
through education, training, association ard natural interest, these two young members have 
already taken hold and are building on the old and enduring foundation. 
To them we turn with confidence that, through their leadership, the Hillenmeyer Nurseries 
will continue to grow and serve the community, as in the past. 
And may the history of those living and of the Hillenmeyers to come, be as fruitful as the 
pioneer who lighted the lamp, held it high, and passed it on from one Hillenmeyer to another, : ae i 
even to this day. Walter W. Hillenmeyer, Jr. 
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