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

Louisville Western Branch Library

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

1. Louisville Western Branch Library Marker (Side A)

Inscription. This Carnegie-endowed library was one of the first in the nation to extend privileges to the black community. The library was first in William M. Andrews' residence at 1125 West Chestnut, now gone. The present library was designed by the architectural firm of McDonald and Dodd and was opened in October of 1908.

Thomas F. Blue (1866-1935), a theologian by training, joined the branch in 1908 as librarian. He designed a training program for blacks in library science which was instituted on a national scale. The library has served also as a community and cultural center for many years.

Erected 1975 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1545.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 38° 14.997′ N, 85° 46.077′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Russell. It is at the intersection of West

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Chestnut Street and South 10th Street, on the right when traveling east on West Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 604 South 10th Street, Louisville KY 40203, 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: Knights of Pythias Temple / Hub of Culture and History (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. James Bond (1863-1929) / Early Leader and Educator (within shouting distance of this marker); Center Street C.M.E. Church / Brown Memorial C.M.E. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Central High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louisville and Nashville Railroad / L&N Expansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nannie Helen Burroughs / Notable Educator, Social Activist (approx.

Louisville Western Branch Library Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

2. Louisville Western Branch Library Marker (Side B)

¼ mile away); The Good Shepherd Order (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Catholic High School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Louisville Western Branch Library Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

3. Louisville Western Branch Library Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.