National Register of Historic Places listings in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky facts for kids

This article tells you about special buildings and places in downtown Louisville, Kentucky that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places are important because they have a lot of history and are worth protecting. Think of them like famous landmarks that tell stories about the past!

The National Register of Historic Places is a list kept by the United States government. It helps make sure that important buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts are saved for future generations. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its history, architecture, or what it means to the community.

Cool Historic Places in Downtown Louisville

Here are some of the amazing historic places you can find in downtown Louisville:

Adath Jeshurun Temple and School

This building, listed in 1982, was once a temple and school. It's located at 749-757 S. Brook St. and shows how different communities have grown in Louisville.

Almsted Brothers Building

The Almsted Brothers Building, at 425 W. Market St., was added to the list in 1982. It's a great example of old buildings in the city's market area.

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Temple

This grand temple at 200 E. Gray St. was recognized in 1982. It's a beautiful building with a lot of history.

The Belle of Louisville Steamboat

Imagine a real steamboat from 1914! The Belle of Louisville is a National Historic Landmark, which is an even higher honor than being on the National Register. You can find it at 4th St. and River Rd. It's a famous boat that still cruises the Ohio River.

Bosler Fireproof Garage

This garage, built to be fireproof, was listed in 1983. It was at 423 S. 3rd St. Sadly, parts of it were taken down in 2015.

Brandeis House

The Brandeis House at 310 E. Broadway was added to the list in 1984. It's a historic home that tells a story about the people who lived there.

Breslin Building

The Breslin Building at 305 W. Broadway has an interesting story. It was first suggested for the list in 1983 but wasn't added until 2013 because of some disagreements. Now it's officially recognized!

Brown Hotel Building and Theater

The famous Brown Hotel at 675 River City Mall was listed in 1978. It's known for its beautiful architecture and long history as a fancy hotel.

J.T.S. Brown and Son's Complex

This complex of buildings at 105, 107-109 W. Main St. was added in 1998. It shows the history of businesses in downtown Louisville.

The Business Women's Club

Recognized in 2008, The Business Women's Club at 425 Muhammad Ali Boulevard highlights the history of women in business and community life.

Caperton Block

The Caperton Block, located at 564-574 4th St., was listed in 1984. It's another example of the historic buildings that make up Louisville's downtown.

Cathedral of the Assumption

This beautiful church at 443 S. 5th St. was added to the list in 1977. It's a very important religious and architectural site in the city.

Chestnut Street Methodist Church

The Chestnut Street Methodist Church at 809 W. Chestnut St. was listed in 1979. It's a significant part of the city's religious history.

Christ Church Cathedral

Another important church, Christ Church Cathedral at 421 S. 2nd St., was recognized in 1973. It's known for its stunning design.

The Cumberland

The Cumberland building at 201 York St. was listed in 1996. It adds to the rich architectural history of Louisville.

J. Dolfinger and Company Building

This building at 642 S. 4th St. was added in 1990. It represents the commercial past of the city.

Electric Building

The Electric Building at 619 S. 4th St. was listed in 1985. Its name suggests its role in the city's development.

Elks Athletic Club

The Elks Athletic Club at 604 S. 3rd St. was recognized in 1979. It was a place for social and athletic activities.

Fifth Ward School

The Fifth Ward School at 743 S. 5th St. was listed in 1978. It's a reminder of how education has changed over time in Louisville.

First Lutheran Church

This church at 417 E. Broadway was added to the list in 1982. It's another important religious landmark.

First National Bank-Kentucky Title Company Building

Located at 214 S. 5th St., this building was listed in 1983. It played a role in the city's financial history.

German Bank Building

The German Bank Building at 150 S. 5th St. was recognized in 1984. It shows the influence of German immigrants in Louisville's past.

German Insurance Bank

Another building with German ties, the German Insurance Bank at 207 W. Market St., was listed in 1985.

Hamilton Brothers Warehouse

This warehouse at 125-127 W. Main St. was added in 2008. It's a piece of Louisville's industrial and trade history.

Heyburn Building

The Heyburn Building at 332 W. Broadway was listed in 1979. It's a tall, historic building in the downtown area.

House of Weller

The House of Weller at 121 W. Main St. was recognized in 1979. It's part of the historic Main Street area.

Howard-Hardy House

This house at 429 S. 2nd St. was added to the list in 2004. It's a historic home with unique features.

E.L. Hughes Company Building

The E.L. Hughes Company Building at 209 E. Main St. was listed in 2016. It's a more recent addition to the historic register.

Inter-Southern Insurance Building

This impressive building at 239-247 S. 5th St. was recognized in 1980. It's a landmark in downtown Louisville.

Jefferson County Armory (Louisville Gardens)

The Jefferson County Armory, now known as Louisville Gardens, at 525 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard, was listed in 1980. It's been a place for many events over the years.

Louisville Metro Hall (Jefferson County Courthouse)

This very important building at 527 W. Jefferson St. was listed in 1972. It used to be the Jefferson County Courthouse and is now the Louisville Metro Hall, where the city government works.

Jefferson County Courthouse Annex

Right next to the main courthouse, the Annex at 517 Court Pl. was added in 1980.

Jefferson County Jail

The old Jefferson County Jail at 514 W. Liberty St. was listed in 1973. It's a historic building that once served as the county's jail.

Haury Motor Company Showroom and Garage

This building at 741 S. 3rd St. was recognized in 2017. It shows the history of cars and businesses in Louisville.

Kaufman-Straus Building

The Kaufman-Straus Building at 427-437 S. 4th St. was listed in 1978. It was once a big department store.

Keneseth Israel Synagogue

This synagogue at 232-236 E. Jacob St. was added in 1982. It's a significant religious site.

Kentucky National Bank

The Kentucky National Bank at 300 W. Main St. was listed in 1979. It's part of the city's financial past.

Kurfees Paint Company

The Kurfees Paint Company building at 201 E. Market St. was recognized in 2013. It tells a story about local industries.

Levy Brothers Building

The Levy Brothers Building at 235 W. Market St. was listed in 1978. It's another example of historic commercial buildings.

Loew's and United Artists State Theatre (The Louisville Palace)

Now known as The Louisville Palace, this theater at 625 S. 4th St. was added in 1978. It's a beautiful place where many shows and movies have been enjoyed.

Louisville City Hall Complex

The Louisville City Hall Complex at 601, 603, 617 W. Jefferson St. was listed in 1976. This is where a lot of the city's important decisions are made.

Louisville Free Public Library

The main Louisville Free Public Library at 301 W. York St. was recognized in 1980. It's a place for learning and community.

Louisville Grocery Company Building

This building at 231 E. Main St. was added in 2003. It shows the history of food and business in the city.

Louisville Municipal Bridge (George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge)

This bridge, also known as the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, connects Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. It was listed in 1984 and is a very important link between the two states.

Louisville Trust Building

The Louisville Trust Building at 208 S. 5th St. was listed in 1977. It's another historic financial building.

Madrid Building

The Madrid Building at 545 S. 3rd St. was recognized in 1985. It adds to the unique architecture of downtown.

Main Street District, Expanded

This historic district includes several buildings at 316, 320, 324 and 328 W. Main St. It was expanded in 1980 to include more important historic structures.

Marmaduke Building

The Marmaduke Building at 520 S. 4th St. was listed in 1991. It's a part of the historic fabric of 4th Street.

The Mayor Andrew Broaddus Boat

Another historic boat, the Mayor Andrew Broaddus, is also a National Historic Landmark. It's located near the Belle of Louisville at 4th St. and River Rd. and was recognized in 1989.

Miller Paper Company Buildings

These buildings at 118-122 E. Main St. were listed in 2011. They show the history of paper and printing in Louisville.

New Enterprise Tobacco Warehouse

The New Enterprise Tobacco Warehouse at 925 W. Main St. was added in 1980. It's a reminder of Louisville's past as a center for tobacco trade.

Old Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Jefferson Community and Technical College)

This building at 109 E. Broadway was listed in 1978. It used to be a seminary and is now part of Jefferson Community and Technical College.

Old U.S. Customshouse and Post Office

This important building at 300-314 W. Liberty St. was first listed in 1977. A warehouse was added to its historic boundary in 1980. It served as a customs house and post office.

Pendennis Club

The Pendennis Club at 218 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard was recognized in 2003. It's a historic social club.

Republic Building

The Republic Building at 429 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard was listed in 1982. It's a notable building in the downtown area.

Ronald-Brennan House

This house at 631 S. 5th St. was added in 1975. It's a beautiful historic home.

Rossmore Apartment House

The Rossmore Apartment House at 664 River City Mall was listed in 1978. It shows how people lived in apartments in the past.

St. Paul's German Evangelical Church and Parish House

This church and its parish house at 213 E. Broadway were recognized in 1982. It's another example of Louisville's diverse religious history.

Savoy Historic District

This historic district includes buildings at 209-221 W. Jefferson St. It was listed in 1988, preserving a whole block of history.

Sears, Roebuck and Company Store

The old Sears, Roebuck and Company Store at 800 W. Broadway was listed in 1983. It was once a very popular place to shop!

Second and Market Streets Historic District

This district, located around Second and Market Streets, was recognized in 1988. It protects a historic area of the city.

Seelbach Hotel

The famous Seelbach Hotel at 500 S. 4th St. was listed in 1975. It's known for its beautiful design and luxurious history.

Snead Manufacturing Building

The Snead Manufacturing Building at 817 W. Market St. was added in 1978. It's a piece of Louisville's industrial past.

South Central Bell Company Office Building

This office building at 521 W. Chestnut St. was listed in 1980. It shows the history of communication companies in the city.

Southern National Bank (Old Bank of Louisville)

Also known as the Old Bank of Louisville, this building at 320 W. Main St. is a National Historic Landmark, listed in 1971. It's a very important building in the city's financial history.

Speed Building

The Speed Building at 319 Guthrie St. was recognized in 1983. It's another historic structure in downtown Louisville.

Starks Building

The Starks Building at 455 S. 4th St. was listed in 1985. It's a prominent building in the downtown area.

Steam Engine Company No. 2

This historic fire station at 617-621 W. Jefferson St. was added in 1980. It tells the story of early firefighting in Louisville.

Stewart's Dry Goods Company Building

The Stewart's Dry Goods Company Building at 501 S. 4th St. was listed in 1982. It was once a major department store.

W.K. Stewart Bookstore

The W.K. Stewart Bookstore at 550 S. 4th St. was recognized in 2003. It's a historic spot for books and learning.

Theater Building

This building at 625-633 S. 4th St. was listed in 1982. It's part of the entertainment history of Louisville.

Third and Jefferson Streets Historic District

This district includes buildings at 301-317 S. 3rd St. and 232-244 Jefferson St. It was listed in 1988, preserving a significant historic area.

Third and Market Streets Historic District

Another important district, located at 201-219 S. 3rd St. and 224-240 W. Market St., was recognized in 1988.

Trade Mart Building

The Trade Mart Building at 131 W. Main St. was listed in 1973. It shows the history of trade and commerce.

Tyler Block

The Tyler Block at 319 W. Jefferson was added in 1973. It's a historic group of buildings.

Tyler Hotel

The Tyler Hotel at 229-245 W. Jefferson St. was listed in 1988. It's a historic hotel that has seen many guests over the years.

Tyler-Muldoon House

This house at 132 E. Gray St. was recognized in 1977. It's a historic home with unique character.

United States Post Office, Court House and Custom House (Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse)

Now known as the Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse, this building at 601 W. Broadway was listed in 1999. It has served many important government roles.

University of Louisville School of Medicine

The University of Louisville School of Medicine at 101 W. Chestnut St. was added in 1975. It's a historic place for medical education.

Walnut Street Theater

The Walnut Street Theater at 416 W. Muhammad Ali Boulevard was listed in 1978. It's a historic theater that has hosted many performances.

Weissinger-Gaulbert Apartments

These apartments at 709 S. 3rd St. were recognized in 1977. They show how apartment living has evolved.

West Main Street Historic District

This large historic district covers the 600-800 blocks of W. Main St. and part of the 500 block. It was listed in 1974 and expanded in 1980. It's famous for its beautiful old buildings.

Whiskey Row Historic District

The Whiskey Row Historic District at 101-133 W. Main St. was listed in 2010. This area is known for its historic buildings that were once part of Louisville's whiskey industry.

Wright and Taylor Building

The Wright and Taylor Building at 611-617 S. 4th St. was recognized in 1984. It's another historic commercial building.

Y.M.C.A. Building

The Y.M.C.A. Building at 227-229 W. Broadway was listed in 1977. It's a historic place that has served the community for many years.

Places No Longer on the List

Sometimes, a building or place might be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This usually happens if the building is torn down or changed so much that it loses its historic importance.

Louisville Board of Trade Building

The Louisville Board of Trade Building at 301 W. Main St. was listed in 1973 but was removed in 1975. It was taken down to make way for street widening.

Norton Company Building

The Norton Company Building at 400 W. Market St. was listed in 1982 but removed in 1991.