Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

History

The history of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique geography and location. In 1769, explorer Daniel Boone created a trail from North Carolina to Tennessee, and then spent the next two years exploring Kentucky. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. George Rogers Clark. Thirteen families were left behind and established Fort Nelson, the first permanent settlement at the site of Louisville. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

Related Topics:
History - Geography - 1769 - Daniel Boone - North Carolina - Tennessee - Kentucky - 1778 - George Rogers Clark - Fort Nelson

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Two years later, in 1780, the Virginia General Assembly and then-Governor Thomas Jefferson approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King Louis XVI of France, whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the Revolutionary War. In 1803, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark organized their expedition across America at the Falls of the Ohio in Louisville.

Related Topics:
1780 - Virginia General Assembly - Governor - Thomas Jefferson - Louis XVI - France - Revolutionary War - 1803 - Meriwether Lewis - William Clark - Falls of the Ohio

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In 1828, the population swelled to 7,000; and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years. In 1839, a precursor to the modern Kentucky Derby was held at Old Louisville's Oakland Race Course.

Related Topics:
1828 - 1839 - Kentucky Derby - Old Louisville

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During the Civil War, Louisville was spared active fighting by the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky's bloodiest battle of the war. Years later, on 1891-09-07, train service arrived to the city with the completion of the Union station train hub.

Related Topics:
Civil War - Battle of Perryville - 1891-09-07

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In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the Ohio River Valley prompted what became remembered as the "Great Flood of '37." The flood submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents.

Related Topics:
1937 - Ohio River Valley - Flood

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Throughout the 20th century, the arts flourished in Louisville. The Speed Art Museum was opened in 1927 and is now the oldest and largest museum of art in Kentucky. The Louisville Orchestra was founded in 1937. In 1949 the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival was begun, and today it is the oldest free and independently-operating Shakespeare festival in the United States.

Related Topics:
20th century - Speed Art Museum - 1927 - Louisville Orchestra - 1949 - Kentucky Shakespeare Festival

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For a variety of reasons, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the suburbs, and the downtown area began to die out. In 1974 a major (F4) tornado hit Louisville as part of the Super Outbreak of tornados that struck 13 states. It covered 21 miles (34 km) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s - 1950s - Suburb - 1974 - F4 - Super Outbreak - Mile - Km

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From the 1980s onward, Louisville has experienced a regrowth in popularity and prosperity. This can be seen in the many changes in this period, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements.

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Many cultural showcases were founded or expanded in this period. The Kentucky Center was officially dedicated in 1983. The Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO), a popular alternative newspaper, was founded in 1990, and the Snitch Newsweekly was established in the 1990s. Velocity was later released by the Courier-Journal as well in 2003. The city's growth continues to the present day.

Related Topics:
Kentucky Center - 1983 - Louisville Eccentric Observer - 1990 - Snitch Newsweekly - 1990s - Velocity - 2003

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