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

Churchill Downs

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017

1. Churchill Downs Marker

Inscription. Churchill Downs Home of the Kentucky Derby, the oldest continuously held sporting event in America, for 3-year-old thoroughbreds. Aristides, owned by H.P. McGrath & ridden by black jockey Oliver Lewis, Warren the 1st Derby in 1875. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., grandson of explorer Wm. Clark, named and modeled the Ky. Derby after English Epson Derby.

Presented by the Kentucky Derby Museum ( back )
Churchill Downs The track, owned by the Churchill family, was named in the 1880s. Twin spires, designed by J. Baldez, were built in 1895. Pari-mutuel betting machines were introduced in 1908. Other track events were state fairs, band concerts, auto and airplane races, military horse and tank shows, and a train wreck. First radio broadcast, 1925; first television broadcast, 1949.

Erected 2008 by Kentucky Historical Society · Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2255.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list.

Location. 38° 12.34′ N, 85° 46.304′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County

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. It is in South Louisville. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue and Rodman Street, on the right when traveling east on Central Avenue. Located in front of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 734 Central Avenue, Louisville KY 40208, 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: Kentucky Derby Walk of Champions (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Churchill Downs (about 300 feet away); Churchill Downs Finish Line Pole (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Churchill Downs (about 400 feet away); Roscoe Goose House / Golden Goose, 1891-1971 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ruff Memorial Wheelmen's Bench / Cycle Carnival 1897 (approx. half a mile away); University of Louisville (approx. 0.8 miles away); Founding of Jefferson Seminary (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . .
1. Churchill Downs on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 1, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Barbaro on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 1, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017

2. Churchill Downs Marker

( back )

Churchill Downs and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017

3. Churchill Downs and Marker

Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017

4. Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum

Barbaro, Winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017

5. Barbaro, Winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 619 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 1, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.