St. Joseph in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
St. Joseph Infirmary
Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024
1. St. Joseph Infirmary Marker
In 1836, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth founded a hospital on Jefferson St. called St. Vincent Infirmary. When facility moved to Fourth St. in 1853, the name changed to St. Joseph Infirmary. To meet growing needs, a new 325-room facility opened here in 1926. Internationally renowned surgeon Dr. Irvin Abell Sr. based his practice at St. Joseph.
The School of Nursing, which graduated 1,540 nurses, operated here, 1926-1971. The facility was sold to Extendicare, 1970, and main building razed ten years later. Services moved to Audubon Medical Center on Poplar Level Rd. The surrounding St. Joseph Neighborhood is named after infirmary.
Presented by St. Joseph Neighborhood Association, CARITAS Medical Center, and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Erected 2000 by Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2042.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine • Women. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 38° 12.864′ N,
this page online
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: Grotto & Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heroism at Little Big Horn / Saddler Sergeant Otto Voit (approx. half a mile away); National Pan-Hellenic Council (approx. 0.7 miles away); Iota Phi Theta (approx. 0.7 miles away); Kappa Alpha Psi (approx. 0.7 miles away); Alpha Kappa Alpha (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sigma Gamma Rho (approx. 0.7 miles
Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024
2. St. Joseph Infirmary Marker
Photographed by Kevin W., August 26, 2024
3. St. Joseph Infirmary Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 564 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
