Downtown in Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
City and County Named / Jefferson County Courthouse
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
1. City and County Named Marker
City and County Named. Louisville, at the Falls of the Ohio, was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark. Site first served as a military outpost; the city which developed was named for Louis XVI. Kentucky Co., Virginia, was divided in 1780 into Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln counties. Jefferson Co. was named for Governor Thomas Jefferson, who signed the first town charter of Louisville.
Jefferson County Courthouse. Designed by Gideon Shryock in Greek Revival style. Construction began ca. 1837, and building first used by city and county, 1842. Completed in 1860 by Albert Fink and Charles Stancliff, it housed legislature briefly during Civil War. Structure renovated by Brinton Davis after 1905 fire. Seven U.S. Presidents have spoken here. On National Register of Historic Places, 1972.
Erected 1981 by Kentucky Historical Society · Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1697.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas Jefferson Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); George Rogers Clark (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisville Bar Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis Dembitz Brandeis (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisville Firefighters Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles W. Anderson, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson County (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Medal Of Honor Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
2. Jefferson County Courthouse Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
3. City and County Named Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 318 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
