Oldest Louisville: A Guide to Historic Treasures

Chartered in 1780, Louisville has no shortage of fascinating history, starting with the development of Portland, the building of Fort Nelson and the early days of the tobacco and bourbon trade. In Oldest Louisville, you’ll meet the man behind the city’s oldest still-operating funeral service, learn of the magistrate who lived in Portland’s oldest wood-frame home, hear the stories behind Louisville’s oldest parks and cemeteries (and how sometimes they overlapped), and get acquainted with the oldest living zoo animal and the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. You’ll read the muddled history of the Old Fashioned cocktail and discover the story of a thrilling duel in a cemetery. This book is not only offers historical insight about the city’s culture and legacies, but also dives into entertaining stories to put the history into a measure of human context. Plus, you’ll meet the people who helped make Louisville what it is, from Gen. George Rogers Clark to Louis D. Brandeis to Muhammad Ali. Sit back, grab a glass of your favorite beverage, and enjoy the ride through historic Louisville.