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

The Discovery of the Ohio River

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

1. The Discovery of the Ohio River Marker

Inscription. In A.D. 1669 Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle, commissioned by the French officials of Louis XIV at Quebec, seeking a water route to China and Japan, guided by an Indian and accompanied by a party in canoes, descended this river, called by the Iroquois Indians the Ohio, meaning the beautiful river.

Erected 1935 by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. (Marker Number 22.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1669.

Location. 38° 15.396′ N, 85° 45.205′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of North 2nd Street and Clark Memorial Bridge, on the left when traveling north on North 2nd Street. Marker is located at the south end of George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge at north end of 2nd St. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. The Galt House (within shouting distance of this marker); Slave Trading In Louisville / Garrison Slave Pen Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Coon Hollow Distillery Offices (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Forester Distilling Co.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 300 feet away); Louisville Water Company (about 400 feet away); Kentucky National Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Louisville Board of Trade (about 500 feet away); Birth of Truth In Advertising (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. (Submitted on November 17, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Tom Bosse, October 11, 2018

2. The Discovery of the Ohio River Marker

3. Ohio River

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle image. Click for full size.

May 2, 2017

4. René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle

Louis XIV of France image. Click for full size.

5. Louis XIV of France

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 17, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.