Experience bluegrass and culture in Louisville, Kentucky
by Paul H. Green
Louisville has so much to offer for those who visit this extraordinary city. The city is known particularly for the Kentucky Derby horse races and the Bluegrass music. Louisville, Kentucky is full of beautiful nationally-acclaimed parks, historical sites, shopping venues, restaurants, and sports activities.
Louisville is the county seat of Jefferson County located on the Ohio River. The population was estimated to be 556,429 in 2005. Cities located near Louisville include Audubon Park, Seneca Gardens, Strathmoor Manor and Parkway Village.
Louisville history
Louisville's location has greatly influenced the history of the city, which covers several hundreds of years. Colonel George Rogers Clark settled in Louisville in 1778 while on a campaign against the British. Clark thought the area would make the perfect place for both a permanent settlement and a communication post. The following year, Louisville was established and named after France's King Louis XVI.
Prior to the Civil War, Louisville had one of the largest slave trades in the United States. A great portion of the city's growth is attributed to that trade. Since Kentucky was a neutral state, Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved African Americans that would cross the Ohio River to freedom in the North.
The completion of the Louisville and Portland Canal brought forth more growth during the 1800s. Louisville was incorporated in 1828 and had a population of approximately 7,000. The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875 at the Louisville Jockey Club track. As universities, businesses, sports facilities and attractions were built, the city steadily increased in growth. Louisville continues to be a fast-growing metro city today.
Interesting facts
Louisville is home to many well-known residents of the past and present including boxer Muhammad Ali, actor Ned Beatty, writer Sue Grafton, and President Zachary Taylor. The city was also the filming location for the movies 1964 “Goldfinger” and 1999 “The Insider.”
Sports fans can enjoy the Kentucky Derby, or catch a game with the Bats, Louisville's minor league baseball team. Other sports teams located in Louisville include the Bulls (Mid Continental Football), the Kings (USALF), the Fire (Arena Football), and Kentucky Colonels (American Basketball Association).
Higher education
Louisville colleges and universities include University of Louisville, Spalding University, Bellarmine College, Sullivan University, the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Simmons College, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Attractions in Louisville
Visitors can enjoy a kind, friendly spirit with all the amenities of a big city. Louisville provides excitement for everyone including arts, sports, parks, historical sites, and attractions.
Louisville offers some prime sites for sports fans such as the Louisville Slugger Field, Kentucky Derby Museum, and the Muhammad Ali Center. At the Kentucky Derby Museum www.derbymuseum.org , fans can tour multiple floors filled with thoroughbred racing history. No horseracing fan will want to miss the opportunity to visit the Churchill Downs racetrack (home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875).
The Muhammad Ali Center www.alicenter.org gives boxing fans a chance to learn about the life of boxing legend champion Muhammad Ali.
Louisville historical sites and museums
History buffs can explore the historical sites and museums that Louisville has, such as the Conrad/Caldwell House Museum, Riverside, Farmington mansion, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind, Thomas Edison House, and J.B. Speed Art Museum.
Louisville houses several specialty museums including the Louisville Auto Museum, with antique and vintage cars and several other early auto exhibits. The Colonel Harland Sanders Museum is another interesting museum where you can learn about the Kentucky Fried Chicken founder and how his fried chicken came to be so popular.
Family attractions
The Louisville Zoo www.louisvillezoo.org features birds, gorillas, sea lions, tigers and many other animals for the family to enjoy.
Kids seem to really enjoy taking a stroll through one of Louisville's many picturesque city parks. Some popular parks include Cherokee Park, Iroquois Park and Central Park. The majority of the parks have a space to bike, hike or jog. Other nearby parks include the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park and the Jefferson County Memorial Forest.
Performing arts
Louisville offers the Kentucky Opera, Louisville Ballet, and the Louisville Orchestra for those who love the performing arts.
Louisville festivals
The city of Louisville hosts a few annual festivals such as the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Lewis and Clark Ohio River Festival, the Adam Matthews Balloon Festival, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, the Gaslight Festival, and the St. James Court Art Show.
Other attractions
Other popular spots in Louisville include Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum, Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Otter Creek, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom and the Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area.
For years Louisville has been a wonderful place for residents and visitors. To learn more about Louisville, Kentucky USA visit the city's official Web site www.louisvilleky.gov .