Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
City and County Named
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Jefferson County Courthouse
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
1. City and County Named Marker
City and County Named. Louisville, at the Falls of the Ohio, was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark. Site first served as a military outpost; the city which developed was named for Louis XVI. Kentucky Co., Virginia, was divided in 1780 into Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln counties. Jefferson Co. was named for Governor Thomas Jefferson, who signed the first town charter of Louisville.
Jefferson County Courthouse. Designed by Gideon Shryock in Greek Revival style. Construction began ca. 1837, and building first used by city and county, 1842. Completed in 1860 by Albert Fink and Charles Stancliff, it housed legislature briefly during Civil War. Structure renovated by Brinton Davis after 1905 fire. Seven U.S. Presidents have spoken here. On National Register of Historic Places, 1972.
Erected 1981 by Kentucky Historical Society · Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1697.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson,
this page online
Location. 38° 15.259′ N, 85° 45.602′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of W Jefferson Street and S 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on W Jefferson Street. Located in front of Louisville Metro Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 527 W Jefferson Street, 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: 2020 Racial Justice Protests (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Jefferson Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Black Six (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
2. Jefferson County Courthouse Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Louis XVI (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
3. City and County Named Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
