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Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
 

Belle of Louisville

 
 
Belle of Louisville Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
1. Belle of Louisville Marker
Inscription.
Belle of Louisville
The Belle of Louisville was built (by the James Rees & Sons Company) in Pittsburgh in 1914 and commissioned the Idlewild. She first operated as a ferry at Memphis carrying passengers, freight, farm produce and livestock. During World War II, the Idlewild’s defense work was to tow oil barges a duty of desperate national need. In 1947 she was purchased by J. Herod Gorsage who changed her name to the Avalon in 1948. In 1949 she was sold to parties in Cincinnati. During this time she travelled the western rivers until sold at auction to Jefferson County and City of Louisville Agency.

The Belle of Louisville is the oldest operating steamboat on the entire Mississippi River system. She is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.
An Official Kentucky
Bicentennial Celebration Project

 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list.
 
Location. 38° 15.552′ N, 85° 45.311′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West River Road and
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North 4th Street, on the right when traveling west. Located on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus Lifesaving Station, docked at the Louisville Riverwalk, next to the Belle of Louisville. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 W River Road, Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Captain John F. Gilooly (here, next to this marker); Mayor Andrew Broaddus (here, next to this marker); U.S. Coast Guard World War II Operations in Louisville (a few steps from this marker); Life Saving Station 10 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Belle of Louisville (a few steps from this marker); Visitors at Louisville Wharf / Louisville’s Steamboat Era (a few steps from this marker); Lewis and Clark in Kentucky / York (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Irene Dunne (1898-1990) (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
 
Also see . . .
1. Belle of Louisville. (Submitted on June 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Belle of Louisville on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
 
Plaques on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
2. Plaques on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus
The Belle of Louisville image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
3. The Belle of Louisville
The Belle of Louisville image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
4. The Belle of Louisville
The Mayor Andrew Broaddus image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
5. The Mayor Andrew Broaddus
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 394 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.

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Mar. 18, 2024