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

Simmons University

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

1. Simmons University Marker (Side A)

Inscription. School proposed by Gen. Assoc. of Colored Baptists in Kentucky and chartered through legislature in 1873 as Ky. Normal and Theological Institute. Frankfort was the first site suggested but Assoc. selected Louisville. Charter amended in 1882, changing name to State Univ. Became Simmons Univ. in 1919 in honor of Wm. J. Simmons, eminent president from 1880-1890.

By 1919 Simmons had grown from 3 to 10 departments, including Music, Theology, Law, Insurance, Social Service and Industrial Education. Medical School founded, 1888. First site at 7th and Kentucky sold to University of Louisville for Municipal College. Simmons moved to 1811 Dumesnil. In 2007, under leadership of Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby (13th pres.), school returned to original campus.

Erected 2010 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1661.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 38° 14.364′ N,

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85° 45.875′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Limerick. It is on South 7th Street north of Zane Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1018 South 7th 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: Louisville Municipal College (within shouting distance of this marker); Noted School Site (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seelbach-Parrish House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bayly-Schroering House (approx. ¼ mile away); Memorial Auditorium / Performers at Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Thierman Apartments (approx. 0.3 miles away); Presentation Academy (approx.

Simmons University Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

2. Simmons University Marker (Side B)

0.4 miles away); Immanuel Baptist Church / First Christian-Lampton Baptist (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Simmons College of Kentucky. School website homepage (Submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Simmons University Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2020

3. Simmons University Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 1, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.