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

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The Portland neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky is a special place with a rich history! Many of its old buildings and areas are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are officially recognized by the United States government as places worth preserving because of their history, architecture, or what they tell us about the past.

The Portland neighborhood is located near the Ohio River to the north, N. 10th Street to the east, W. Market Street to the south, and I-264 and the Shawnee Golf Course to the west. This list will tell you about some of these amazing historic spots in Portland.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list of buildings, sites, districts, and objects that are important in American history. When a place is added to this list, it means it has been carefully studied and found to have special historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural importance. It helps protect these places and makes people more aware of their value.

Historic Places in Portland

The Portland neighborhood has many buildings and areas that tell stories of the past. Here are some of the cool places listed on the National Register:

Old Firehouses and Schools

Many community buildings like fire stations and schools have played a big role in Portland's history.

Firehouse No. 13

  • Address: 100 N. 34th St.
  • Listed: March 10, 1981
  • This old firehouse reminds us of the brave firefighters who protected the community long ago.
Firehouse No. 13, Louisville
Firehouse No. 13

Montgomery Street School

  • Address: 2500-2506 Montgomery St.
  • Listed: May 6, 1982
  • Schools are important parts of any neighborhood, and this one has seen many students come and go over the years.
The Montgomery Street School in 2007
The Montgomery Street School

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School

  • Address: 222 N. 17th St.
  • Listed: March 22, 1982
  • Named after a famous president, this school also has a long history of educating children in Portland.
Roosevelt Elementary, Louisville
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School

St. Cecilia School Building

  • Address: 2530 Slevin St.
  • Listed: November 26, 2004
  • This building served as a school for many years, helping to shape the lives of young people in the area.
St. Cecilia's School in Louisville
St. Cecilia's School

Western Junior High School

  • Address: 22nd and Main Sts.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This school building has been a landmark for junior high students in Portland for decades.
Western Middle School in Louisville
Western Middle School

Important Homes and Buildings

Many houses and other buildings show us what life was like in Portland in the past.

Baker-Hawkins House

  • Address: 3603 W. Market St.
  • Listed: August 21, 1980
  • This house is a great example of the architecture from its time.
Baker-Hawkins House Louisville KY Flickr
Baker-Hawkins House

Benjamin Grove House

  • Address: 518 N. 26th St.
  • Listed: November 15, 1984
  • This historic home gives us a peek into the lives of early residents of Portland.
Benjamin Grove House
Benjamin Grove House

James F. Irvin House

  • Address: 2910 Northwestern Parkway
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This beautiful mansion, built in 1863, is a grand example of historic homes in the area.
1863 Mansion, Portland, Lousville
James F. Irvin House

Meek-Miller House

  • Address: 3123 Northwestern Parkway
  • Listed: September 10, 1979
  • Another significant house that adds to the historical character of the neighborhood.
Meek-Miller House from southeast
Meek-Miller House

Thornburgh House

  • Address: 376 N. 26th St.
  • Listed: December 8, 1983
  • This house is also recognized for its historical importance in Portland.
Thornburgh House
Thornburgh House

Industrial and Commercial Buildings

Portland was once a busy center for trade and industry, especially with tobacco. Many old warehouses and factories are still standing.

C.A. Bridges Tobacco Warehouse

  • Address: 1719-1723 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This warehouse was part of Louisville's big tobacco industry.
C.A. Bridges Tobacco Warehouse
C.A. Bridges Tobacco Warehouse

Brown Tobacco Warehouse

  • Address: 1019-1025 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • Another important building from the tobacco trade.
Brown Tobacco Warehouse
Brown Tobacco Warehouse

Givens Headley and Co. Tobacco Warehouse

  • Address: 1119-1121 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This warehouse also played a role in the tobacco business.
Givens Headley and Company Tobacco Warehouse site
Givens Headley and Company Tobacco Warehouse

Greve, Burlage, and Company (15th Street)

  • Address: 312-316 N. 15th St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This building was part of a company that contributed to the local economy.
GB&C building, 15th Street
Greve, Burlage, and Company (15th Street)

Greve, Buhrlage, and Company (Lytle Street)

  • Address: 1501 Lytle St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • Another location for the same company, showing its presence in the area.
GB&C building, Lytle Street
Greve, Buhrlage, and Company (Lytle Street)

Ideal Theatre

  • Address: 2315-2319 W. Market St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This old theater was once a place where people gathered for entertainment.
Ideal Theatre site
Ideal Theatre

Monon Freight Depot

  • Address: 1400 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • Train depots were vital for moving goods and people, and this one served the Monon Railroad.
Monon Freight Depot in Louisville
Monon Freight Depot

National Foundry and Machine Company

  • Address: 1402 W. Main St.
  • Listed: May 1, 1980
  • This company was important for making metal products.
National Foundry and Machine Company
National Foundry and Machine Company

National Tobacco Work Branch Stemmery

  • Address: 2410-2418 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • A "stemmery" was where tobacco leaves were processed.
National Tobacco Work Branch Stemmery
National Tobacco Work Branch Stemmery

National Tobacco Works

  • Address: 1800-1810 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • A major site for tobacco processing.
National Tobacco Works demolition site
National Tobacco Works

National Tobacco Works Branch Drying House

  • Address: 2400 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • Where tobacco was dried before being used.
National Tobacco Works Branch Drying House
National Tobacco Works Branch Drying House

Peaslee-Gaulbert Warehouse

  • Address: 1427 Lytle St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • Another warehouse important for storage and trade.
Peaslee-Gaulbert Warehouse
Peaslee-Gaulbert Warehouse

Planter's Tobacco Warehouse

  • Address: 1027-1031 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This warehouse was also part of the tobacco industry.
Planter's Tobacco Warehouse site
Planter's Tobacco Warehouse

J.V. Reed and Company

  • Address: 1100 W. Main St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This company's building is recognized for its historical value.
J.V. Reed and Company building site
J.V. Reed and Company

Steam Engine Company No. 4

  • Address: 1617 W. Main St.
  • Listed: November 7, 1980
  • This building housed a steam engine company, important for early industrial work.
Steam Engine Company No. 4, Louisville
Steam Engine Company No. 4

Tobacco Realty Company

  • Address: 118-126 N. 10th St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This company dealt with properties related to the tobacco industry.
Tobacco Realty Company
Tobacco Realty Company

Wrampelmeier Furniture Company

  • Address: 226-228 N. 15th St.
  • Listed: September 8, 1983
  • This building was home to a furniture company, showing the diverse businesses in Portland.
Wrampelmeier Furniture Company
Wrampelmeier Furniture Company

Historic Districts and Other Sites

Sometimes, a whole area or district is historic, not just one building.

Lower West Market Street District

  • Address: 1500-2200 W. Market St.
  • Listed: November 4, 1982
  • This district includes many buildings along Market Street that together tell a story of the area's development.
Market from Twentieth in Louisville
Lower West Market Street District

Portland Historic District

  • Address: Roughly bounded by Missouri Ave., Pflanz Ave., Bank, N. 33rd, and N. 37th Sts.
  • Listed: February 21, 1980
  • This large area shows the historic layout and buildings of the Portland neighborhood.
EarickHouse
Portland Historic District

Portland Proper

  • Address: 31st St. and Northwestern Parkway
  • Listed: September 13, 2006
  • This area is recognized for its historical significance within Portland.
Portland Wharf Park from level of 1937 flood
Portland Proper

U.S. Marine Hospital

  • Address: 2215 Portland Ave.
  • Listed: January 9, 1978
  • This hospital was built to care for sailors and river workers. It's a very important building for medical history.
U.S. Marine Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky
U.S. Marine Hospital

Former Listings

Some properties were once on the National Register but have since been removed, often because they were demolished or changed too much.

  • William G. Meier Warehouse (2100 Rowan St.) - Listed in 1983, delisted in 2009.
  • National Tobacco Works Warehouse (101-113 S. 24th St.) - Listed in 1983, delisted in 2009.

These historic places help us remember and learn about the past of the Portland neighborhood and Louisville!

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Portland, Louisville, Kentucky Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.