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

Evan Williams

1755-1810

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

1. Evan Williams Marker

Inscription.
A native of Wales, Williams came to Kentucky around 1780. In 1783, he built his distillery on the banks of the Ohio River, distilling whiskey from corn on the east side of what is now 5th Street. It is said to have been the first commercial distillery in Kentucky, shipping barrels by flatboat down the Ohio River.

Williams also held several civic leadership positions, including serving as one of Louisville’s seven elected city trustees. In 1797 he was elected Louisville’s first wharf master: he was also a master stonemason and builder who oversaw construction of the first jail and courthouse in Jefferson County.

Erected 2014 by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (Marker Number 2445.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.

Location. 38° 15.426′ N, 85° 45.571′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of W Main Street and

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N 6th Street, on the right when traveling west on W Main Street. Located in front of The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, directly across West Main Street from the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 W Main Street, Louisville KY 40201, 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: Bridgeford, Ricketts & Company (a few steps from this marker); Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Monks (within shouting distance of this marker); 125 South Sixth Street (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); D.X. Murphy & Bro., Architects (about 500 feet away); Al J. Schneider (about 600 feet away); Fort Nelson Park

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

2. Evan Williams Marker

(about 600 feet away); The Stockade On Corn Island, 1778 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

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

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

3. Evan Williams Marker

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

4. Evan Williams Marker

Across West Main Street from the marker is the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 876 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.