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

J. Graham Brown

1881-1969

— People Who Make A Difference —

J. Graham Brown Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 26, 2021

1. J. Graham Brown Marker

Inscription. James Graham Brown, philanthropist, lumberman, entrepreneur, builder of hotels, breeder of racehorses, was born in Indiana in 1881. In 1903, he moved to Kentucky and devoted his life, his wide-ranging talents, and indefatigable energy to Louisville and its region. The Brown Hotel, build in 1923, became a Louisville landmark and, along with his other hotels and office buildings, changed the city's business life and skyline. Brown's sometimes gruff demeanor cloaked an inner humor and generosity, as shown by his extensive donations to regional education. Small in stature, he left, with the philanthropic foundation that bears his name, a great and continuing imprint on his community and its economy, and on the education of generations of its young people.

Erected by The Chamberley Hotel Company to commemorate the Broadway-Brown Partnership's restoration of the Brown and Theater Square.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 38° 14.802′ N, 85° 45.492′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on South 4th Street just north of West Broadway (U.S. 150), on the

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right when traveling north. Marker is next to the side entrance and parking garage for The Brown Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 680 S 4th St, 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. Sit-in Demonstration Site (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Sit-in Demonstration Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sit-In Demonstration Site (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Sit-In Demonstration Site (about 600 feet away); Mary Anderson (about 600 feet away); YMCA Building (about 600 feet away); Weissinger-Gaulbert Apartments (about 600 feet away); Brennan House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

More about this marker. A monument to James Graham Brown stands a few feet in front of the marker, along the sidewalk next to The Brown Hotel.

James Graham Brown Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 26, 2021

2. James Graham Brown Memorial

The marker can be seen on the wall behind the statue.

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 278 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.