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

Old Louisville in Kentucky is a super cool neighborhood known for its amazing old buildings and historic areas. Many of these special places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government that recognizes buildings, sites, and districts that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and preserving for future generations to enjoy.

This article will tell you about some of the neat buildings and areas in Old Louisville that are on this important list. Old Louisville is generally found between York Street and East Jacob Street to the north, South Floyd Street and Interstate 65 to the east, East Brandeis Street to the south, and South 5th Street, South 7th Street, and the CSX Railroad tracks to the west.

Historic Places in Old Louisville

Old Louisville is home to many beautiful and important buildings. These places tell stories about the past and show us how people lived and worked long ago. Being on the National Register of Historic Places helps make sure these stories and buildings are kept safe.

Cool Churches and Temples

Many churches and temples in Old Louisville have been recognized for their history and architecture.

• Adath Israel Temple: This temple, located at 834 South 3rd Street, was added to the list on December 31, 1974. It's a significant religious building in the area.

The historic Adath Israel Temple.

• Calvary Episcopal Church: You can find this church at 821 South 4th Street. It joined the National Register on January 18, 1978, and is known for its beautiful design.

Calvary Episcopal Church, a historic landmark.

• Church of the Messiah: Also on South 4th Street, at number 805, this church was listed on April 21, 1976. It's also known as the First Unitarian-Universalist Church.

The Church of the Messiah.

• First Christian Church: Located at 850 South 4th Street, this church became a historic site on July 16, 1979. Its entrance is quite impressive.

The entrance to First Christian Church.

• Fourth Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church: This church at 318 West St. Catherine Street was added to the list on July 16, 1979. It's another example of the area's rich religious history.

Fourth Avenue Methodist Church.

Important Homes and Buildings

Many houses and other buildings in Old Louisville have unique stories and designs.

• Bayly-Schroering House: This house at 1012 South 4th Street was listed on November 14, 1978. It's a great example of the homes built in the neighborhood.

The historic Bayly-Schroering House.

• Board of Extension of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South: This building at 1115 South 4th Street was listed on June 3, 1983. It played a role in the history of the Methodist church.

The Board of Extension building.

• Cornwall and Brown Houses: These two houses at 957 South 4th Street were added to the register on July 19, 1978. They show the style of homes from that time.

The Cornwall and Brown Houses.

• William J. Dodd Residence: Located at 1448 St. James Court, this residence was listed on August 5, 2010. It's a more recent addition to the list of historic homes.

The William J. Dodd Residence.

• D.H. Ewing & Sons Creamery: This old creamery at 981 South 3rd Street was listed on June 3, 1983. It's a reminder of the businesses that once thrived in the area.

The D.H. Ewing & Sons Creamery building.

• The Filson Historical Society: Found at 118 West Breckinridge Street, this building became historic on June 20, 2013. It's home to a society that studies Kentucky's history.

The old building of The Filson Club.

• Harig, Koop & Company-Columbia Mantel Company: This industrial building at 845 South 9th Street was listed on March 14, 1996. It shows the manufacturing history of Louisville.

The Harig, Koop & Company building.

• Jewish Hospital Complex: Located at 236 East Kentucky Street, this hospital complex was added to the register on July 22, 1994. It's an important part of the city's healthcare history.

The Jewish Hospital Complex.

• Landward House: This house at 1385-1387 South 4th Street was listed on September 20, 1973. It's one of the older listings in the area.

The Landward House.

• Louisville Gas and Electric Company Service Station Complex: This complex at 1228 South 7th Street was listed on March 17, 2015. It shows the history of utilities in the city.

The Louisville Gas and Electric Company Service Station Complex.

• Louisville War Memorial Auditorium: This large building at 970 South 4th Street was listed on December 27, 1977. It serves as a memorial and a place for events.

The Louisville War Memorial Auditorium.

• Dr. J.B. Marvin House: Located at 809 South 4th Street, this house was listed on June 3, 1983. It's another example of a historic home.

Dr. J.B. Marvin House.

• The Olympic: This building at 223 West Breckinridge Street was listed on July 9, 2007. It's a unique structure in the neighborhood.

The Olympic building.

• Porter-Todd House: You can find this house at 929 South 4th Street. It was added to the register on April 30, 1979.

The Porter-Todd House.

• Presentation Academy: This school at 861 South 4th Street was listed on December 22, 1978. It has a long history of educating students.

Presentation Academy.

• Rauchfuss Houses: These houses at 837-847 South Brook Street were listed on August 12, 1982. They are a group of historic homes.

The Rauchfuss Houses.

• Steam Engine Company No. 7: This old fire station at 821 South 6th Street was listed on November 7, 1980. It's a cool example of early fire department buildings.

Steam Engine Company No. 7.

• Thierman Apartments: These apartments at 416-420 West Breckinridge Street were listed on June 3, 1983. They show how people lived in apartments long ago.

The Thierman Apartments.

• Tompkins-Buchanan House: Located at 851 South 4th Street, this house was listed on April 27, 1977. It's now part of Spalding University.

The Tompkins-Buchanan House, now part of Spalding University.

Historic Districts

Sometimes, not just one building, but a whole area is considered historic. These are called historic districts.

• District #1: This district around South Brook and East Breckinridge Street was listed on June 3, 1983. It includes many beautiful Italianate-style houses.

Italianate houses in District #1.

• District #2: This area near West Breckinridge Street and South 2nd Street was also listed on June 3, 1983. It features more historic buildings.

A street view in Historic District #2.

• First Street District: This district is roughly bounded by East Breckinridge, East Kentucky, and Interstate 65. It was listed on July 14, 1984.

A view of the First Street District.

• Old Louisville Residential District: This is a very large historic district that covers much of Old Louisville. It was first listed on February 7, 1975, and then expanded on July 12, 1984. It includes many of the beautiful homes and streets the neighborhood is famous for.

Werne's Row in the Old Louisville Residential District.

• St. James-Belgravia Historic District: This district is roughly bounded by Central Park, South 4th, South 6th, and Hill Streets. It was listed on December 5, 1972, and is known for its grand homes and charming streets.

A historic home in the St. James-Belgravia Historic District.

Schools with History

Schools are also important parts of a community's history.

• Kentucky Street School: This school at 119 East Kentucky Street was listed on June 3, 1983. It has served many students over the years.

The historic Kentucky Street School.

• Louisville Male High School: Located at 911 South Brook Street, this high school was listed on April 18, 1979. It's one of the oldest public high schools in the United States.

The old building of Louisville Male High School.