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

Evan Williams

Kentucky’s 1st Distiller

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

1. Evan Williams Marker

Inscription.
Arrived in Ky. as early as 1781. Williams was picked in 1797 to serve on Louisville’s first elected Board of Trustees and was appointed Harbor Master for Port of Louisville same year. He was also major contractor in this area and built Jefferson Co. Jail and Co. Clerk office in 1803. Died here Oct. 15, 1810.

Kentucky’s distilling industry founded near this site in 1783 when Evan Williams built the 1st commercial distillery. By converting grains into whiskey, products of pioneer Ky. were more easily shipped to world markets. Skilled craftsmanship and limestone water are credited for Kentucky’s leadership in distilling.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 38° 15.413′ N, 85° 45.406′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of W Main Street and N. Fourth Street, on the right when traveling west on W Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 W Main Street, Louisville KY 40201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thelma French Schneider (a few steps from this marker); The Columbia Building (a few steps from this marker); Kentucky Fugitives to Canada

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Distillers' Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Bourbon District (within shouting distance of this marker); D.X. Murphy & Bro., Architects (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Louisville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Al J. Schneider (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . .
1. Evan Williams, The Man on the Evan Williams Bourbon website. (Submitted on June 14, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Evan Williams (whiskey) on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 14, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Evan Williams Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

2. Evan Williams Marker Reverse

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

3. Evan Williams Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 438 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on June 14, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.