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

Louisville Free Public Library

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 8, 2024

1. Louisville Free Public Library

This is where the marker should be located.

Inscription. Louisville Library Company founded in 1816 by Mann Butler and 4 others but failed, 1822. Later library attempts: Franklin Lyceum, 1840; Public Library of Ky., 1871, and the Polytechnic Society, 1876. Louisville Free Public Library was founded, 1903. Building on York St. given by Andrew Carnegie opened, 1908. North Building opened, 1969. Presented by Friends of the Library. (Reverse) Representative Louisville Authors from Ky. Collection - John Mason Brown, Madison Cawein, Joseph Seaman Cotter, Mrs. George Madden Martin, Clark McMeekin, Alice Hegan Rice, Cale Young Rice, Henry Watterson, Annie Fellows Johnston, Robert Emmett McDowell, Gwen Davenport, John Jacob Niles, Eleanor Mercein Kelly, Abraham Flexner and Amelia B. Welby. Presented by Friends of the Library.

Erected by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1654.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 14.662′ N,

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85° 45.472′ W. Marker was in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It was in Old Louisville. It was at the intersection of York Street and S 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on York Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 301 York Street, Louisville KY 40203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Murray Atkins Walls (within shouting distance of this marker); First Unitarian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. J.B. Marvin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Calvary Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Columbia Gym (about 500 feet away); Weissinger-Gaulbert Apartments (about

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 8, 2024

2. Louisville Free Public Library

600 feet away); The Derek Smith Gymnasium at Spalding University (about 600 feet away); Sit-in Demonstration Site (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. George Denison Prentice (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 8, 2024

3. Louisville Free Public Library

Photographed by Tom Bosse, December 8, 2024

4. Louisville Free Public Library

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 9, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the marker before its disappearance or when it is replaced. • Can you help?