Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Captain John F. Gilooly
An Official Kentucky Bicentennial Celebration Project
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
1. Captain John F. Gilooly Marker
Inscription.
Captain John F. Gilooly. An Official Kentucky Bicentennial Celebration Project. Louisville’s most famous life saver at the Falls of the Ohio, Captain John F. (Jack) Gilooly (1855 - 1926), assisted in or effected the saving of 6,312 persons, property valued at $5,500,000, and recovery of 400 bodies of drowning victims. Perhaps his most famous rescue was in 1914, when he and crew saved 215 New Orleans Mardi Gras-bound passengers aboard the steamer Queen City, and "not one had a wet foot.” Gilooly and his crew refused the $5,000 reward the grateful revelers presented him, but asked instead that the life saving service be made a part of the U.S. Coast Guard, which was accomplished in 1915.
Louisville’s most famous life saver at the Falls of the Ohio, Captain John F. (Jack) Gilooly (1855 - 1926), assisted in or effected the saving of 6,312 persons, property valued at $5,500,000, and recovery of 400 bodies of drowning victims. Perhaps his most famous rescue was in 1914, when he and crew saved 215 New Orleans Mardi Gras-bound passengers aboard the steamer Queen City, and "not one had a wet foot.” Gilooly and his crew refused the $5,000 reward the grateful revelers presented him, but asked instead that the life saving service be made a part of the U.S. Coast Guard, which was accomplished in 1915.
Location. 38° 15.552′ N, 85° 45.313′ W. Marker is in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It is in Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West River Road and North 4th Street, on the right when traveling west. Located on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus Lifesaving Station, docked at the Louisville Riverwalk, next to the Belle of Louisville. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 W River Road, 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. Belle of Louisville (here, next to this marker); Mayor Andrew Broaddus
3. The Mayor Andrew Broaddus, Lifesaving Station #10
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
4. The Mayor Andrew Broaddus, Lifesaving Station #10
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 18, 2017
5. Plaques on the Mayor Andrew Broaddus
Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 3, 2021
6. Nearby Ohio River Navigation System Plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 10, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 6. submitted on July 31, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.