This bird’s-eye view print of Louisville, Kentucky was drawn by Albert Ruger and published by Chicago Lith. Co. in 1876. Louisville was established in the late 1700's along the Ohio River. The river falls made it necessary to off-load riverboat cargo at this point until Beargrass Creek was formed into an alternate route.
The early community prospered as a high bank riverfront trading center, with local farms producing wheat, oats, corn and many varieties of fruit for exportation. The salt trade was also very important in Louisville.
Zachary Taylor grew up here. The city organized the University of Louisville in 1798.
At the head of the falls a certain limestone was discovered that, when mixed with silica, produced a rather hard cement substance. Several cement factories were established in Louisville producing the hydraulic cement.
An African-American edited newspaper, “The Planet”, was started in 1872. The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875 at the Louisville Jockey Club. Louisville was the site of a series of world industrial and mercantile shows referred to as the Southern Exposition beginning in 1883.
The image includes waterfront, buildings, streets and railroad route. Riverboat activity is portrayed in the foreground, noting the steamers Morning Star, Cons. Millar, Glascow and Mary Houston.
Features references to the following locations:
First Church, Presbyterian.
Second Church, Presbyterian.
College St. Church, Presbyterian.
Walnut St. Church, Presbyterian.
Chestnut St. Church, Presbyterian.
Broadway Tabernacle, Presbyterian.
Walnut St. Church, Methodist.
Chestnut St. Church, Methodist.
St. Paul’s Church, Episcopal.
St. John’s Church, Episcopal.
Christ Church, Episcopal.
Church of Christ, Episcopal.
Calvary Church, Episcopal.
Walnut St. Church, Baptist.
Broadway Church, Baptist.
Preston St. Church, Baptist.
First African Church, Baptist.
York St. African Church, Baptist.
Cathedral of the Assumption.
St. Patrick’s Church, Roman Catholic.
St. John’s Church, Roman Catholic.
St. Bonifacius Church, German.
Church of the Immaculate Conception, German.
St. Martin’s Church, German.
St. Louis Bertrand Church, German.
Chapel of the Ursuline Sisters, German.
Madison St. Church, German.
St. Peter’s Church, German.
St. Michael’s Church, Roman Catholic.
St. Andrew’s, Episcopal.
Court House.
City Hall.
City Hospital.
Custom House and Post Office.
Industry Exposition Building
Public Library of Kentucky
Medical College, University of Louisville.
Male High School
Female High School.
Third Ward School.
Fourth Ward School.
Fifth Ward School.
Seventh Ward School.
Eighth Ward School.
Ninth Ward School.
Tenth Ward School.
Masonic Widows’ and Orphans’ Home.
House of Refuge.
Nashville Depot.
Fourteenth Street, Depot.
Short Line Depot.
Narrow Gauge Depot.