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

First Louisville Slugger Bat

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

1. First Louisville Slugger Bat Marker

Inscription.
Site of J.F. Hillerich carpentry shop, 1875-1901. In 1894, J.F.’s son, J.A. “Bud” Hillerich, attended a Louisville Eclipse major league baseball game. After star player Pete Browning broke his bat, Hillerich offered to make a new one. Browning got three hits the next day and soon his teammates wanted to order Hillerich Bats.

Hillerich grew the bat business, trademarking “Louisville Slugger” in 1894. Name changed from J.F. Hillerich & Son to Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1916. They excelled at bat making and marketing, becoming a worldwide icon. H&B eventually moved to 8th and Main Streets with pro bat factory tours and a baseball.

Erected 2016 by Kentucky Historical Society & Kentucky Department of Highways; sponsored by Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. (Marker Number 2499.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Sports.

Location. 38° 15.317′ N, 85° 45.108′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of S 1st Street and E Main Street, on the right when traveling south on S 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 S 1st Street, Louisville KY 40202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Second African Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisville Water Company (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Birth of Truth In Advertising (about 300 feet away); Slavery Laws In Old Kentucky / Site of Arterburn Brothers Slave Pens (about 400 feet away); Old Forester Distilling Co. (about 400 feet away); Slave Trading In Louisville / Garrison Slave Pen Site (about 500 feet away); The Galt House (about 500 feet away); The Discovery of the Ohio River (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.

Also see . . . Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger) on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 19, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021

2. First Louisville Slugger Bat Marker

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

3. First Louisville Slugger Bat Marker

The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017

4. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

On Main Street in downtown Louisville about 7 blocks from the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 19, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 2. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.