Louisa, Kentucky facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Louisa, Kentucky
City
Main Street
Nickname(s):  The Gem of the Mountains
Location in Lawrence County, Kentucky
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Lawrence
Established	December 11, 1822
Incorporated	1869
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
Area
• Total	2.26 sq mi (5.86 km2)
• Land	2.24 sq mi (5.81 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation	607 ft (185 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,679
• Estimate  (2022)	2,623
• Density	1,194.92/sq mi (461.31/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	41201, 41230
Area code(s)	606
FIPS code	21-47854
GNIS feature ID	2404959

Louisa is a city in eastern Kentucky, United States. It is located where the Levisa and Tug Fork rivers meet to form the Big Sandy River. This river also forms part of Kentucky's border with West Virginia. Louisa is the main town, or seat, of Lawrence County. In 2020, about 2,679 people lived there.

History of Louisa

The name of the city, Louisa, has a few possible origins. Some people think it was named after Louisa County, Virginia. Others believe it was named after Louisa Swetnam, who was one of the first white children born in the area. Another idea is that it comes from a change in the original name of the Levisa Fork river, which was once called the "Louisa Fork." An old map from 1856 still shows the river as "Louisa."

Early Settlements and Growth

Attempts to settle the area began around 1790. However, permanent settlements didn't really start until 1818. Louisa officially became the county seat in 1822. It was recognized as a city in 1823.

Around 1792, a place called Vancouver's Station was rebuilt. It had been destroyed by Native Americans a few years earlier. This settlement was located between the Levisa and Tug Forks of the Big Sandy River. Later, this area became known as "Balclutha" on early maps.

Louisa During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, soldiers from the Union army took control of Louisa. Their leader was James A. Garfield, who later became a president of the United States. They stayed in the city from December 1861 until the war ended. Confederate soldiers tried to take over Louisa several times, but they were not successful.

Transportation and Development

In 1881, the Chattaroi Railroad, which is now part of CSX, reached Louisa. The city is also served by US 23, a major highway. In March 1888, the local newspaper, The Big Sandy News, wrote about the town.

The first needle dam in the United States was finished just north of Louisa in 1896. This type of dam helps control water levels in the river.

General view of the needle dam and lock as originally built in 1896 at Louisa

Louisa's Geography

Louisa is located right on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. The Levisa Fork river forms its eastern edge. The Big Sandy River forms its northern border. This river also marks the state line between Kentucky and West Virginia.

Roads and Connections

U.S. Route 23 runs through the western part of Louisa. It goes north about 30 miles (48 km) to Ashland on the Ohio River. To the southwest, it goes about 28 miles (45 km) to Staffordsville.

Kentucky Route 3 goes through the center of Louisa on Madison Street. It leads northwest about 7 miles (11 km) to Fallsburg. To the southeast, it goes about 25 miles (40 km) to Inez. Kentucky Route 32 goes southwest from Louisa about 18 miles (29 km) to Blaine. Across the Tug Fork river, West Virginia Route 37 leads east to Fort Gay, West Virginia.

Climate in Louisa

Louisa has a climate with warm temperatures and rain spread out throughout the year. This type of weather is called a Humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, it's often shown as "Cfa."

Points of Interest in Louisa

Louisa has some interesting places to visit.

The Multi-Way Bridge

The bridge connecting Louisa, Kentucky, to Fort Gay, West Virginia, is quite special. It's a rare multi-way T-bridge. This concrete bridge is about a quarter-mile long. It crosses two parts of the Big Sandy River. It also connects two different states. What's unique is that it has a right turn in the middle. This turn connects traffic to a neighborhood in Louisa called the Point Section. The current bridge was built in 1979 and updated in 2003.

The Birdhouse

"The Paveillon," often called "The Birdhouse," is a tall, five-story building. It serves as a gas station, a rest stop, and even a country music museum. You can find it along U.S. Route 23 on the western side of the city. The design of this building was inspired by famous hotels like the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California, and the Grand Floridian Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Fred M. Vinson Birthplace

Historical marker in front of the Fred M. Vinson Birthplace, located on the western corner of the junction of Madison Street and Vinson Avenue.

The Fred M. Vinson Birthplace is a historic home where the 13th Chief Justice of the United States, Fred M. Vinson, grew up. It was also the first jail built in Lawrence County. You can find it at the corner of Madison Street and Vinson Avenue. Chief Justice Vinson's grave is also in Pinehill Cemetery.

Culture and Events

Every second weekend in September, Louisa hosts a big event called Septemberfest. This festival features local and national performers for three days. There are also arts and crafts on the northwestern side of town. Many food vendors offer delicious Southeastern cuisine.

Population of Louisa

In 2000, there were 2,018 people living in Louisa. About 22.1% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 39 years.

Education in Louisa

Louisa has several schools for students of different ages.

High School

• Lawrence County High School

Elementary and Middle Schools

• Louisa East Elementary School
• Louisa West Elementary School
• Louisa Middle School
• The Millard School

Public Library

Louisa also has a lending library called the Lawrence County Public Library. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.

Notable People from Louisa

Many interesting people have come from Louisa, Kentucky:

• Tyler Childers, a folk, country, and Americana singer
• Cliff Fannin, a baseball player
• James A. Hughes, a U.S. Congressman
• Jason Michael, an NFL coach
• Chandler Shepherd (born 1992), a baseball pitcher
• Noah Thompson, the winner of American Idol in 2022
• Frederick M. "Fred" Vinson, who was the Chief Justice of the United States from 1946 to 1953
• George and Leslie York, country music performers

See also

In Spanish: Louisa (Kentucky) para niños