Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Kentucky Distillers' Association
Historic Site
— Bourbon District - 610 West —
On June 10th, 1880, representatives of 32 distilleries from across the state met in Louisville to create the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA). The stated purpose of the organization was to protect and advance the interests of its members by lobbying state legislatures and the federal government with respect to whiskey industry laws and regulations.
The KDA members met again at the Galt House Hotel on March 3rd, 1892, to draft a plan that would allow the organization to be formally incorporated under Kentucky law. It continues to act as the umbrella group for Kentucky's distilling industry, "responsible for promoting and protecting all things bourbon." As of 2017 there are 33 members of the KDA, ranging from industry giants to small craft distilleries.
(timeline on sidebar):
1999: The KDA creates the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® attraction to promote bourbon tourism.
2008: The Urban Bourbon Trail® is launched as a cocktail and culinary experience in Louisville.
2012: The KDA launches the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® to showcase the small distilleries.
2016: A record 1 million visitors tour the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®.
(image captions):
Belle of Nelson advertising poster, artwork by Thure de Thulstrup
Practically from the city's founding days, hotels sprang up along Louisville's Main Street corridor. In 1793, Maj. John Harrison established a hotel at Sixth and Main. This was followed in 1803 by the opening of the Indian Queen at Fifth and Main, later named Union Hall. Its guests included the naturalist and artist John James Audubon and his wife, Lucy, as well as Revolutionary War ally the Marquis de Lafayette. The Louisville Hotel, considered the city's first large hotel, was built in 1832 at 610 West Main. Modeled on the Tremont House in Boston, it had 60 rooms (including suites), a bar, dining room, and retail shops.
(sidebar):
Galt House
Louisville's best-known historic hotel was the Galt House. Located at Second and Main, it opened in 1835 with 60 rooms. Charles Dickens stayed at the hotel in 1842 during his United States tour. In his book, American Notes, he described his stay, "We...were as handsomely lodged as though we were in Paris, rather than hundreds of miles beyond the Alleghenies."
(image captions):
Above: Wilburn Stereograph collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Louisville
Galt House Expansion: Expanding 20 times its original capacity, the Galt House has occupied three separate locations in Louisville.
The Louisville Hotel located on Main Street in Louisville; illustration
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is March 3, 1892.
Location. 38° 15.401′ N, 85° 45.376′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of W Main Street (U.S. 31W) and N Fourth Street, on the right when traveling west on W Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 325 W Main Street, Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Columbia Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Evan Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); Thelma French Schneider (within shouting distance of this marker); Bourbon District (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Louisville (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Fugitives to Canada (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Louisville Board of Trade (about 300 feet away); Kentucky National Bank Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.