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

Captain John F. Gilooly

An Official Kentucky Bicentennial Celebration Project

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

1. Captain John F. Gilooly Marker

Inscription. Louisville’s most famous life saver at the Falls of the Ohio, Captain John F. (Jack) Gilooly (1855 - 1926), assisted in or effected the saving of 6,312 persons, property valued at $5,500,000, and recovery of 400 bodies of drowning victims. Perhaps his most famous rescue was in 1914, when he and crew saved 215 New Orleans Mardi Gras-bound passengers aboard the steamer Queen City, and "not one had a wet foot.” Gilooly and his crew refused the $5,000 reward the grateful revelers presented him, but asked instead that the life saving service be made a part of the U.S. Coast Guard, which was accomplished in 1915.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Heroes • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 38° 15.552′ N, 85° 45.313′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of West River Road and 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Belle of Louisville (here, next to this marker);

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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.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

2. Captain John F. Gilooly Marker

The Mayor Andrew Broaddus, Lifesaving Station #10 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

3. The Mayor Andrew Broaddus, Lifesaving Station #10

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

4. The Mayor Andrew Broaddus, Lifesaving Station #10

Plaques on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

5. Plaques on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus

Nearby Ohio River Navigation System Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

6. Nearby Ohio River Navigation System Plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 930 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 10, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 6. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.