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

Knights of Pythias Temple
⎯⎯⎯
Hub of Culture and History

Hub of Culture and History Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

1. Hub of Culture and History Marker

Inscription.
Knights of Pythias Temple The Knights of Pythias Lodge was organized in 1893 and the state headquarters built, 1915, at a cost of $130,000. The same prominent leaders organized the Lodge and Chestnut Street YMCA. Among those founding fathers were Albert Mack, W. H. Wright, and Albert Meyzeek. Known for their social and civic activities, the Pythians served as role models for black youths.

Hub of Culture and History The Pythias Temple housed many professional offices and facilities for serving the community. It included USO for Blacks and office of James Bond, civil rights leader. Some 25,000 Blacks attended the National Pythian Conv. in this city, 1925. Lodge declined after Depression; Temple sold to Chestnut St. YMCA, 1953. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1978.

Erected by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 1662.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 38° 14.992′ N,

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85° 46.041′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Russell. It is on West Chestnut Street east of South 10th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of Chestnut Street Family YMCA. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 930 West Chestnut 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: Dr. James Bond (1863-1929) / Early Leader and Educator (here, next to this marker); Louisville Western Branch Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Center Street C.M.E. Church / Brown Memorial C.M.E. Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central High School (approx. 0.2 miles away);

Knights of Pythias Temple / Hub of Culture and History Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

2. Knights of Pythias Temple / Hub of Culture and History Marker

Marker is lying on the ground next to post on the right.

Nannie Helen Burroughs / Notable Educator, Social Activist (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louisville and Nashville Railroad / L&N Expansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Good Shepherd Order (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Catholic High School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

More about this marker. Marker was detached and lying on the ground next to post. Kentucky Historical Society online database used to obtain text for marker side lying face-down.

Also see . . . Asset Detail | Knights of Pythias Temple. National Register of Historic Places registration and accompanying photographs. (Submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Marker on the ground next to post. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

3. Marker on the ground next to post.

Knights of Pythias Temple image. Click for full size.

Public domain / Wikipedia, September 15, 2012

4. Knights of Pythias Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 654 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photograph of face-down side of marker. • Can you help?

Knights of Pythias Temple⎯⎯⎯Hub of Culture and History

Knights of Pythias Temple
⎯⎯⎯
Hub of Culture and History