Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Blue Boar Cafeteria
Sit-In Demonstration Site
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
1. Sit-In Demonstration Site Marker
Blue Boar Cafeteria
644 South Fourth Street
410 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.
(formerly Walnut Street)
Demonstrations were conducted in front of the Blue Boar and other restaurants along Fourth Street from Broadway to Chestnut Street and other locations downtown. The Louisville Defender reported that 332 students and adults were arrested while conducting sit-ins and squat-ins at Kupies Double Burger on Fifth Street near Muhammad Ali (formerly Walnut street).
The Blue Boar Cafeterias were the sites of escalated violence by merchant policemen and customers against protesters. As students protested in front of the restaurants, some white patrons trampled over students using their knees and elbows to make their way.
Prior to the demonstrations only 10 of 135 restaurants located downtown were desegregated. In the wake of the protests 24 more opened their doors. The rest remained closed to African Americans until the passage of the public accommodations law in 1963. Blue
this page online
(sung by high school student protestors as they were led off to jail)
Dedicated to the memory of Dr. J. Blaine Hudson (September 8, 1949-January 5, 2013)
September 30, 2013
Sponsored by the University of Louisville: College of Arts and Sciences, Office of International, Diversity and Outreach Programs, Louisville Metro Council, Louisville Downtown Partnership, Office of th Mayor, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights
Erected 2013 by the University of Louisville: College of Arts and Sciences, Office of International, Diversity and Outreach Programs, Louisville Metro Council, Louisville Downtown Partnership, Office of the Mayor, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. (Marker Number 4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.
Location. 38° 15.071′ N, 85° 45.507′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of West Muhammad Ali Boulevard and Cathedral Way, on the left when traveling
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
2. Sit-In Demonstration Site Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rotary Club of Louisville / Henry Watterson Hotel (a few steps from this marker); The Seelbach Hotel, 1905 (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation (within shouting distance of this marker); Sit-in Demonstration Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cathedral of the Assumption (about 300 feet away); Mother Catherine Spaulding (about 400 feet away); Civil Rights Movement Overview - Fourth Street Sit-In Demonstration Sites (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Sit-in Demonstration Site (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
Also see . . . Louisville Civil Rights Markers. (Submitted on August 3, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
3. Sit-In Demonstration Site Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,611 times since then and 230 times this year. Last updated on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
