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

Landmark Civil Rights Victory

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 27, 2020

1. Landmark Civil Rights Victory Marker (Side A)

Inscription. In 1914, the Louisville Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance prohibiting a person of one race from living on a block where the majority of residents were of another race. In response, Nat'l Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) designed a legal case to test the law.

Wm Warley purchased land at 37th & Pflanz from Charles Buchanan but refused to make full payment due to the restriction. When Buchanan sued Warley, KY courts upheld the law. In 1917, US Supreme Court reversed decision, striking first legal blow against segregated housing.
Presented by Portland Museum & Louisville Metro Council, 2017

Erected 2017 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2533.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.

Location. 38° 16.416′ N, 85° 48.474′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Portland. Marker is at the intersection of North 37th Street and Pflanz Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North 37th Street. Touch for map

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. Marker is in this post office area: Louisville KY 40212, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grave of Steamboat Captain (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Portland / Our Lady Church (approx. ¼ mile away); First Successful Manufacture of Plate Glass in America (approx. 0.9 miles away in Indiana); The Sloan-Paris House (approx. 0.9 miles away in Indiana); Culbertson Mansion (approx. 0.9 miles away in Indiana); Mansions of New Albany (approx. 0.9 miles away in Indiana); Culbertson Widows' Home (approx. 0.9 miles away in Indiana); The Culbertson House (approx. 0.9 miles away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Buchanan v. Warley (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Landmark Civil Rights Victory Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 27, 2020

2. Landmark Civil Rights Victory Marker (Side B)

Landmark Civil Rights Victory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 27, 2020

3. Landmark Civil Rights Victory Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.