Louisville Health Corridor: Historic Character

Muhammad Ali Boulevard from Preston Street to 8th Street

PLAN650: Capstone Spring 2023 Claire Johnson & Maymie Owens

April 27, 2023

"The University of Louisville's 2023 Master of Urban Planning Capstone class focused on ways to reinvigorate downtown through the lens of health, design, and function of our built environment. The class looked at how to create a vibrant corridor along a one mile long section of Muhammad Ali Blvd., from Preston Street to 8th Street. The initial driver of the project was to find ways to better connect the University of Louisville's Medical District to the New Vision of Health Campus by incentivizing the pedestrian flow of people between these two anchors through a more walkable and inviting pedestrian streetscape for everyone." - Patrick Piuma, Director, Urban Design Studio

The one mile section of Muhammad Ali Blvd. is the study area for the Louisville Health Corridor

To learn more about the complete study of the Louisville Health Corridor and the Urban Design Studio, click here:

Urban Design Studio

Named after the legendary boxer and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, this boulevard stretches from the city's downtown area to the West End neighborhood. Once known as Walnut Street, this thoroughfare has undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the cultural and social shifts in the community.

Today, Muhammad Ali Boulevard stands as a testament to the diverse and vibrant community that has called Louisville home for generations. Its architecture, public spaces, and businesses all tell the story of the city's past, present, and future.

The class focused on seven components for the area of study, including: Health Corridors, Historic Character, Current Conditions, Connecting the Dots, Opportunity Sites, Opportunity Streets, and Placemaking. We will explore only one component of the multifaceted study of the proposed Louisville Health Corridor, the historic character of Muhammad Ali Boulevard. This section will examine its cultural significance and the challenges and opportunities facing its continued development. As the Health Corridor is developed, we hope to help find a way to tell this corridor's story in an interactive way.

Walnut Street: "Louisville's Harlem"

Walnut Street, now known as Muhammad Ali Boulevard, has a rich history that spans over a century. At its peak in the mid-twentieth century, this street was the center of Black culture in Louisville, earning it the nickname "Louisville's Harlem."

In the early 1900s, Walnut Street was a thriving commercial district, home to a diverse array of businesses, including department stores, restaurants, and theaters. The street was also a hub of social activity, with numerous nightclubs and music venues that drew crowds from across the city.

During the Great Migration of the early twentieth century, thousands of African Americans moved to Louisville, seeking better opportunities and an escape from the Jim Crow South. Many settled in the West End, which encompassed Walnut Street and the surrounding neighborhoods.

As the Black population grew, so did the cultural influence of Walnut Street. It became a center of Black entrepreneurship, with successful businesses like the Mammoth Life and Accident Insurance Company and the Louisville Defender newspaper headquartered on the street.

Walnut Street was also a hotbed of artistic activity, with local musicians, dancers, and writers creating a vibrant cultural scene. The street's nightclubs hosted some of the most popular Black entertainers of the era, including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.

However, like many Black communities in America, Walnut Street faced significant challenges in the form of racism and segregation. As white flight and suburbanization took hold in the postwar years, the economic and social fabric of the neighborhood began to unravel. The street's once-thriving businesses began to close, and the nightclubs and music venues disappeared.

Despite these challenges, the spirit of Walnut Street lives on in the present-day Muhammad Ali Boulevard. The street is home to a growing number of Black-owned businesses, community organizations, and cultural institutions, all working to preserve the legacy of this historic neighborhood.

As we reflect on the past and present of Muhammad Ali Boulevard, it is important to recognize the resilience and creativity of the Black community that has called this street home for generations. By understanding the historic character of this neighborhood, we can work to ensure that its future is one of growth, opportunity, and inclusivity.

The Impacts of Urban Renewal

Urban renewal was a federal program that began in the 1940s and continued through the 1970s, aimed at revitalizing urban areas across the United States. The program provided federal funding for cities to redevelop blighted neighborhoods, often through the demolition of existing structures and the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.

In Louisville, urban renewal had a profound impact on the Walnut Street area, which was deemed a "blighted" neighborhood in the 1950s. The city received federal funding to redevelop the area, which led to the demolition of numerous historic buildings and homes in the neighborhood.

Many of the buildings that were destroyed during urban renewal had significant cultural and historical value, including the Hotel Latham, which hosted prominent Black figures such as Langston Hughes and Count Basie. The destruction of these buildings resulted in the loss of important community landmarks and the erasure of a significant part of Louisville's Black history.

Urban renewal also had a major impact on the social fabric of the neighborhood. Many families and businesses were displaced by the redevelopment, and the process often ignored the needs and desires of the people who lived in the area. In many cases, redevelopment plans were imposed on communities without their input, leading to resentment and mistrust towards city officials and planners.

The effects of urban renewal on the Walnut Street area were felt for decades. The neighborhood suffered from disinvestment, poverty, and neglect, and many residents were left without access to essential services and resources. It took years for the community to rebuild and recover from the damage done by urban renewal, and the scars of this period in the neighborhood's history can still be seen today.

Urban Erosion

Urban renewal had a significant impact on the physical landscape of the Walnut Street area, resulting in the erosion of the neighborhood's urban fabric. The demolition of numerous historic buildings and homes led to a loss of density in the area, with large swaths of land left vacant or paved over for parking lots.

One of the most visible impacts of urban renewal in the neighborhood is the proliferation of surface parking lots. Many of these lots were created after buildings were demolished during the redevelopment process, and they now dominate the streetscape of Muhammad Ali Boulevard. These parking lots have transformed the character of the area, creating large expanses of concrete and asphalt that are visually unappealing and do little to promote economic or social activity.

The loss of density in the neighborhood due to urban renewal has also had negative consequences. With fewer buildings and businesses in the area, the streetscape can feel empty and desolate, which can discourage pedestrian activity and make the area feel less safe. Additionally, the lack of density can make it difficult for businesses to thrive, as there are fewer potential customers in the area.

Furthermore, the demolition of historic buildings and homes has had a significant impact on the area's cultural heritage. Many of the buildings that were destroyed during urban renewal had important cultural and historical value, and their loss has left a hole in the neighborhood's collective memory. The erosion of the built environment has also impacted the sense of community in the area, as the loss of landmarks and historic structures can lead to a feeling of disconnection from the past.

A view of Walnut Street at 7th Street in 1942 vs. Muhammad Ali Blvd. at 7th Street today

What happened to Louisville's Walnut Street? (Part 1)

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What happened to Louisville's Walnut Street? (Part 2)

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This project hopes to address the negative impacts of urban renewal on the Walnut Street area. Development in the area should be sensitive to the needs and desires of the people who live in the neighborhood, with a focus on preserving historic buildings and creating more vibrant and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes. By acknowledging the mistakes of the past and working to build a more sustainable and inclusive future, we can ensure that the Walnut Street area continues to be a vital part of Louisville's urban fabric.

Building Dates along Muhammad Ali Blvd.

The structures along the Muhammad Ali Boulevard corridor in Louisville, Kentucky, are a diverse mix of buildings that range in age from 1897 to 1982. This wide range of building dates reflects the historical and cultural significance of the area, as well as the changes that have taken place in the city over time.

The building dates of structures located along the corridor

Building Numbers and Corresponding Dates:

1975
1966
1970
1980
1924
1905
1912
1911
1924
1905
1982
1905
1913
1910
1910
1932
1900
1928
1897
1962
1950

The range of building dates along the corridor reflects the complex history and evolution of the area, as well as the diversity of architectural styles and cultural influences that have shaped the built environment over time. By preserving and celebrating this rich history, we can ensure that the Muhammad Ali Boulevard corridor remains a vibrant and vital part of Louisville's urban landscape.

Photo Archives along Muhammad Ali Blvd.

The University of Louisville's photo archives contain a wealth of historic images that provide a window into the past of the Muhammad Ali Boulevard corridor. By examining these images, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and physical significance of the area and how it has changed over time.

To help tell the story of the corridor, we have used historic photos to create a map that shows the locations of key buildings and landmarks from different periods of time.

The use of historic photographs can help to tell a rich and multifaceted story of the Muhammad Ali Boulevard corridor, highlighting the area's cultural, social, and economic significance over time. By preserving and celebrating this history, we can ensure that the corridor remains a vital and vibrant part of Louisville's urban landscape.

The Seelbach Hotel

Address: 500 S. Fourth Street, Louisville, Kentucky. The Seelbach Hotel, constructed in the Beaux Arts style, was completed in 1905. This street scene shows the Seelbach Hotel with its canopied entryway and first floor lined with shops, including Walgreens. People walk along the sidewalks as a trolley goes by. The Seelbach Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

State Liquor Store. 5th & Walnut

Exterior view of the front of the State Liquor Store with a Falls City Beer sign above the building.

Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, 1921.

Address: 514 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd). Designed by Brinton B. Davis, the Beaux Arts-style building was originally used as the home of the Louisville Legion militia battalion. In the late 1940s the legion moved its home to the state fairgrounds the the Armory was used for special events and concerts. In 1973, the administrators changed the name to the Louisville Gardens, and in 1980 it was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Drury Lane / Oertel's Radio Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky, 1936.

Address: 416 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard), Louisville, Kentucky. A crowd stands under a marquee that reads, "Drury Lane / Oertel's Radio Theatre." The men wear suits and most have hats. The women wear dresses and overcoats, some of which have fur trim. Next to the theatre is Men's Quality Shop with ads for cleaning and blocking hats, cleaning and pressing suits, and shoe shines. Signs are lit up against the dark night sky along the street.

Pendennis Club, Louisville, Kentucky, 1929.

The Pendennis Club building located at 218 Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.). The building features three stories with large chimney stacks and balusters across a railing along the roof. The bottom floor is constructed of stone, the other two floors are constructed of brick. Baluster railings are around the building and two large urns flank both sides of the steps that lead up to the entrance. On the left is a covered side entrance with an arched opening. The Pendennis Club, a private social club, was established in 1881.

Goodman & Hambelton. Photos of McDowell bldg.

Four-story stone building in a row of commercial buildings with a loan office on the ground floor and a florist to the left. Address: 505 South 3rd Street, Louisville, Kentucky.

Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co. Ext. photos of bldg on sw. corner Third & Walnut.

Two exterior views of Leeds Drug Store, a two-story building on the corner of 3rd Street and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard).

Walnut Street and Third Street intersection, Louisville, Kentucky, 1924.

300 block of Walnut Street, now Muhammad Ali Boulevard, looking west from Third Street. A police officer is stationed in the middle of the intersection to manually switch the "stop" and "go" signs for traffic control. A man on a bicycle and several people on foot cross the street. A street car and automobile drive down Walnut Street and multiple cars are parked along both sides of the road. Advertisements and signs for local businesses include L.J. Bachus & Co. Eye Testing Room, Brunswich Phonograph Records, Jefferson Cafeteria, Schieber Shoe Shop, Kurtzmann Pianos & Players, Keisker Furniture, Macauley's Theatre, and Taylor Made Pharmacy.

Fifth Ave. Hotel & cathedral

Fifth Avenue Hotel on Fifth Street in Louisville, Kentucky. The Cathedral of the Assumption sits in the background at 443 South Fifth Street. A carriage is parked under a tree on the opposite side of the road.

B.F. Keith Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky, 1921.

Exterior view of the B.F. Keith Theatre (also known as the National Theatre), located at 506 West Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard), Louisville, Ky. The structure includes a rounded canopy accenting the roundness of both the columns and the building itself as it appears on a corner attached to typical square buildings. Signs underneath the canopy advertise vaudeville shows and a film starring Thomas Meighan. A large vertical electric sign says "B.F. Keith's." Cars are parked alongside the building. The building was demolished 1952.

600 block of West Walnut Street, north side, Louisville, Kentucky.

Address: 601-15 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.) in Louisville, Ky. Businesses include: Domestic Life at 601, Grand Theater at 607-11, Puritan Cleaners at 609, The Carousel at 611, and Bon Ton Barber Shop at 615 W. Walnut Street. A marquee above Grand Theater displays movie listings. Neon and Coca-Cola signs and cars are visible.

Exterior of Mammoth Life & Accident Insurance Company, Louisville, Kentucky, 1927.

Cars are parked along the curb in front of the Mammoth Life & Accident Insurance Company at 608 West Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard). The façade of the Lyric Theater is to the left and the American Mutual Savings Bank is adjacent on the right side. The doorway to the Louisville Leader and the Urban League are also visible. These were all African American-owned businesses on what was once an African American business district.

Aetna Oil Service Station, Second Street and Walnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 1929

The Aetna Oil Service Station on the corner of Second Street and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard). It is brick and has a dome-like roof topped by a decorative finial. Four gas pumps are visible in the front. A car with a man in the front passenger seat is parked at one of the pumps. There are two signs advertising the "Pendennis Station-Aetna Oil Service, Inc.-Parking, Greasing, Washing, Polishing, Ladies Restroom". There is also a sign reading "Free Parking On This Lot for Patrons of the Walnut Cafeteria" and many cars are seen in the parking lot. The Henry Clay Hotel is visible behind the Walnut Cafeteria parking lot. The Pendennis Club is visible next door along Walnut Street with cars in its parking lot. A man stands along Walnut Street looking north.

First Standard Bank, Louisville, Kentucky, 1921.

Address: 600 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard), Louisville, Kentucky. A sign on the side of this brick building announces that it is First Standard Bank, an African American bank in downtown Louisville. The pediment over the door, mock Doric columns, and the dentils bring a Greek Revival influence to the building. White globed lights frame the entry. Signs on the front window indicate the hours as "Open 9 A.M. - 2 P.M. Saturday Eve. 4 P.M. - 7 P.M." and "Bank Closed / Legal Holiday." Upper windows have advertisements for Humes & Gillian, Real Estate Agents. The building to the left with a fire escape down the front of the building has a shoe shining stand on its first floor. Around the corner is a poster for a show at the Majestic Theatre.

Davis Brothers storefront, Louisville, Kentucky, 1924.

Address: 103 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard), Louisville, Kentucky. A young African American man sits upon a horse which wears a blanket proclaiming, "Every day is Derby Day." They are standing on the sidewalk outside the Davis Brothers candy shop which features a Derby Day display in its window. Next door is Badger Drug Co. which advertises, "Venida hair net" "Cut rate drugs" "Dan'l Boone cigars" "Expert prescription work" "Chesterfield cigars" "Guaranteed rubber goods" and "Filson Club cigars."

Republic Building, Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1915.

Address: 429 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Blvd.), Louisville, Kentucky (northeast corner of 5th and Walnut). This view of Fifth Street includes the Republic Building and the Cathedral of the Assumption. The Cathedral was completed in 1852 and is one of the oldest public buildings in Louisville, Kentucky. The steeple includes stained glass windows and a multi-faced clock. The entryway of the Republic Building faces Walnut Street and includes a suspended metal canopy. The display windows are accented by tile and have roll-away cloth canopies. Signs are posted on the building which read, "For Rent / Offices in this building / Brand-Frazier Co. / Agents / Realty Bldg." The Cathedral of the Assumption was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and the Republic Building was added in 1982.

Catholic Woman's Club, Louisville, Kentucky, 1913.

Address: 615 W. Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard), Louisville, Kentucky. The Catholic Woman's Club is set off the street by a sidewalk and small lawn with one small tree on each side of an entry walk. The building appears to have been built onto with a protruding wing which comes forward all the way to the sidewalk. The original portion of the building is three stories above ground and at least one story below. Utility poles and lines can be seen in the alley next to the building as well as on the main street.

Madrid Building and Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 1939.

Address: 539 S. Third Street, Louisville, Kentucky. On the left is the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. The church has a dome and cupola. On the right is the Madrid Ballroom. The Madrid Ballroom was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The Madrid Ballroom has signs saying "Nite Club" and "Bowling, Dancing, Billiards." On the first floor of the building is an entrance for Underwood Elliott Fisher Company (typewriters, accounting machines, adding machines). Just south of the Madrid Ballroom is a parking lot, possibly a service station, with a Standard Oil Products sign. One of the trucks parked in the lot advertises Clark & Lentz Universal Batteries. Across the street is another sign saying "Parking 20 operated by Standard Oil Company." In the foreground of the picture is the shadow of the camera and photographer.

Clark McMahon Co. Photo of N.W. corner of Third & Walnut.

Corner of Third Street and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard) with a three-story building housing an Arthur Murray Dance Studio, a drycleaners, and a loan office.

Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co. Ext. photos of Lincoln Park.

Two views of Lincoln Park from opposite directions with a gazebo, green space, paths, and commercial buildings surrounding the park.

Walnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1920s.

Street scene includes parked cars along Walnut Street; marquee for Macauley's Theatre (329 W. Walnut Street), featuring a performance by Fassett Co. in "Naughty Wife"; a candy/soda shop; and The Louisville Post. The theater was razed after the final performance on August 29, 1925, and the Starks Building now stands in its place. The Louisville Post merged with the Louisville Herald in 1925 to form the Herald-Post. Walnut Street has also been renamed Muhammad Ali Boulevard. Title supplied by cataloger.

Walnut Street from Seventh Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 1942.

Looking south from 7th Street down Walnut St. (now Muhammad Ali Blvd) in Louisville, Ky. Cars are traveling along Walnut and parked along each side of the road. Businesses on the left side of Walnut include Central Liquors, Domestic Life, and the Grand Theatre. Pedestrians, many of whom are African American, walk along the sidewalks. West Walnut Street from 6th to 13th Streets was a business, social, and cultural gathering place for African Americans.

The Seelbach Hotel

State Liquor Store. 5th & Walnut

Exterior view of the front of the State Liquor Store with a Falls City Beer sign above the building.

Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, 1921.

Drury Lane / Oertel's Radio Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky, 1936.

Pendennis Club, Louisville, Kentucky, 1929.

Goodman & Hambelton. Photos of McDowell bldg.

Four-story stone building in a row of commercial buildings with a loan office on the ground floor and a florist to the left. Address: 505 South 3rd Street, Louisville, Kentucky.

Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co. Ext. photos of bldg on sw. corner Third & Walnut.

Two exterior views of Leeds Drug Store, a two-story building on the corner of 3rd Street and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard).

Walnut Street and Third Street intersection, Louisville, Kentucky, 1924.

Fifth Ave. Hotel & cathedral

B.F. Keith Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky, 1921.

600 block of West Walnut Street, north side, Louisville, Kentucky.

Exterior of Mammoth Life & Accident Insurance Company, Louisville, Kentucky, 1927.

Aetna Oil Service Station, Second Street and Walnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 1929

The Aetna Oil Service Station on the corner of Second Street and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard) . It is brick and has a dome-like roof topped by a decorative finial . Four gas pumps are visible in the front . A car with a man in the front passenger seat is parked at one of the pumps . There are two signs advertising the " Pendennis Station-Aetna Oil Service , Inc.-Parking , Greasing , Washing , Polishing , Ladies Restroom ". There is also a sign reading " Free Parking On This Lot for Patrons of the Walnut Cafeteria " and many cars are seen in the parking lot . The Henry Clay Hotel is visible behind the Walnut Cafeteria parking lot . The Pendennis Club is visible next door along Walnut Street with cars in its parking lot . A man stands along Walnut Street looking north .

First Standard Bank, Louisville, Kentucky, 1921.

Davis Brothers storefront, Louisville, Kentucky, 1924.

Republic Building, Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1915.

Catholic Woman's Club, Louisville, Kentucky, 1913.

Madrid Building and Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 1939.

Clark McMahon Co. Photo of N.W. corner of Third & Walnut.

Corner of Third Street and Walnut Street (now Muhammad Ali Boulevard) with a three-story building housing an Arthur Murray Dance Studio, a drycleaners, and a loan office.

Citizens Fidelity Bank & Trust Co. Ext. photos of Lincoln Park.

Two views of Lincoln Park from opposite directions with a gazebo, green space, paths, and commercial buildings surrounding the park.

Walnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1920s.

Walnut Street from Seventh Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 1942.

Historical Markers along Muhammad Ali Blvd.

Historical markers are an essential tool for commemorating and preserving the rich history of an area. They provide a tangible connection to the past, allowing visitors and residents to learn about the people, events, and places that have shaped the present. In the case of Muhammad Ali Blvd, historical markers play an especially crucial role in helping to tell the story of the area's significant cultural and social history.

By marking key locations along the corridor, historical markers can highlight the contributions of important individuals and organizations, while also commemorating important events and milestones in the area's history, such as the Civil Rights movement and the growth of the district's commercial and cultural centers.

Moreover, historical markers can serve as a point of connection and education for residents and visitors alike, allowing them to better understand and appreciate the area's diverse cultural heritage. They can help to foster a sense of community pride and identity, reminding people of the important role that Muhammad Ali Blvd has played in the history of the city and the nation as a whole.

In short, historical markers are an essential component of any effort to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural and historical heritage of an area. By creating a map of historical markers along Muhammad Ali Blvd, we can help to ensure that the area's important history is remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

Neighborhood House/Settlement House

"Neighborhood House"

Pendennis Club

Excerpts from the National Register nomination: By the 1920s the Pendennis Club membership, again feeling pressure to accommodate more members and to provide more modern facilities, decided another club building was needed. After briefly considering a Gothic Revival design by Louisville architect Brinton B. Davis, himself a member of the club, the Pendennis board of directors chose to build a Georgian Revival building after the plans of Frederic Morgan from the firm of Nevin, Morgan and Wischmeyer. Morgan took his inspiration directly from great English houses. The ballroom, for example, was patterned upon a room in a house at Crichel in Dorsetshire.

Sit In Demonstration Site

Stewart's Dry Goods, the largest and most prestigious department store in Louisville, was located at this site. In the 1950s, a trip to Stewart's was a special occasion, requiring a hat and gloves for ladies doing a day of shopping or eating lunch at its elegant Orchid Tea Room. But African Americans were excluded from this experience by policies that denied them the right to try on clothes, use the washrooms or eat in the restaurants. On February 9, 1961, young people from CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and the NAACP Youth Council chose Stewart's as their first target for demonstrations. Their arrest during their first sit-in triggered a mass demonstration campaign that spread throughout the downtown, provoked the “Nothing New for Easter” boycott and lasted through the spring. Large numbers of protesters were arrested and subjected to acts of violence by store employees. By April 27, 1961, more protesters in Louisville had been incarcerated (685 total) during demonstrations than anywhere in the nation to that point. But, Stewart's earned its reputation, referred to by civil rights leaders as the “bulwark of segregation” Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 20202. Sit-in Demonstration Site and Marker in Louisville. It was not until the passage of the Public Accommodations Ordinance in 1963 that black customers were served in Stewart's restaurants. The store was purchased by L.S. Ayers in 1985 and later closed.

The Seelbach Hotel

Excerpt from the National Register nomination: The Seelbach Hotel opened at 4th and Walnut Streets in May, 1905, in a splendid new fireproof building that stands today. On its opening date, 25,000 people pushed in to see "the most elaborately equipped hostelry in all the South." The architect of the Seelbach, Frank M. Andrews, also designed the state capitols of Kentucky and Montana, the Hotel McAlpin in New York, the Arlington Hotel in Washington, D.C., and the George Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. In 1911 he received a medal for a paper on "American Architecture" which he read that year before a meeting of the Royal Society of Arts in London of which he was a member.

Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation

Thomas Merton - (1915-68)Trappist monk, poet, social critic, and spiritual writer. Born in Prades, France. After education at Cambridge and Columbia Univ., he entered Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Ky., 1941; ordained as priest, 1949. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1948), earned international acclaim. He is buried in abbey cemetery. A RevelationMerton had a sudden insight at this corner Mar. 18, 1958, that led him to redefine his monastic identity with greater involvement in social justice issues. He was "suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people...." He found them "walking around shining like the sun."

Rotary Club of Louisville / Henry Watterson Hotel

Rotary Club of Louisville. First Rotary Club in Ky. and 45th in the world. First met on July 26, 1912 and then weekly at the Henry Watterson Hotel from 1912-1924. The Rotary’s service theme led to creation of Ky. Soc. for Crippled Children. At club’s 100th anniv. The Rotary Promise Scholarships were created to provide college tuition for needy students. Henry Watterson Hotel. Opened April 29, 1912 on Walnut Street. With 10 floors and 250 rooms, hotel was popular meeting location for civic events, state & national conventions. Named for long-time Courier-Journal editor, Henry Watterson. Designed by Brinton B. Davis, who designed Louisville Gardens and Ky. Hotel. Demolished in 1981.

Blue Boar Cafeteria

One of two Blue Boar Cafeterias was located at this site. Blue Boar was part of a regional chain that primarily operated in the South. Known for their ‘home-style" cooked fare, the restaurants were popular with downtown workers and shoppers for their reasonable prices and good food. Demonstrations were conducted in front of the Blue Boar and other restaurants along Fourth Street from Broadway to Chestnut Street and other locations downtown. The Louisville Defender reported that 332 students and adults were arrested while conducting sit-ins and squat-ins at Kupies Double Burger on Fifth Street near Muhammad Ali (formerly Walnut street). The Blue Boar Cafeterias were the sites of escalated violence by merchant policemen and customers against protesters. As students protested in front of the restaurants, some white patrons trampled over students using their knees and elbows to make their way. Prior to the demonstrations only 10 of 135 restaurants located were desegregated. In the wake of the protests 24 more opened their doors. The rest remained closed to African Americans until the passage of the public accommodations law in 1963. Blue Boar and other cafeteria-styled restaurants went into a decline in the late 1960s and by the 1980s were largely absent, having been eclipsed by fast food restaurants.

Nannie Helen Burroughs / Notable Educator, Social Activist

Nannie Helen Burroughs A suffragist, orator, educator, & club/church leader for gender and racial equality, she worked in Louisville for the Foreign Mission Board of Nat’l Baptist Convention from 1900-1910. She created the Woman’s Industrial Club to teach work skills to Black women & was a founder of the Woman’s Convention NBC & KY Assoc. of Colored Women. Notable Educator, Social Activist Burroughs opened the National Training School for Women and Girls in Washington, D.C. Pupils learned to become wage earners & homemakers. The school was renamed in her honor in 1964. Burroughs dedicated her life to a just society by advocating for voting rights as political power, full citizenship, & against lynching.

The Good Shepherd Order

On this site in 1843, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd opened their first home in the U.S. Here, the Sisters provided shelter and care to girls who found themselves shunned by society and without resources. By 1867 the Louisville City Court referred homeless and at-risk women to the Sisters, who could care for and find proper homes for them. After opening a second home on Bank Street in the 1860s, the Sisters provided vocational training to women in fields such as sewing and stenography. In the years after the Civil War, the Sisters sheltered African American children at this site. In 1939, the work of the Sisters was renamed Maryhurst.

Neighborhood House/Settlement House

"Neighborhood House"

Begun in 1896 as first settlement house in Kentucky. The founders wanted to improve the lives of immigrants and urban residents by offering English and citizenship classes, job skills, public baths, kindergarten, and a playground. Mary Belknap donated Neighborhood House's first permanent site here, 1902. In 1996 this area park was renamed Settlement House Park. Settlement Houses

Before cities addressed issues such as child labor and housing, settlement houses were started by citizens to provide some relief. Neighborhood House and its sister agencies (Cabbage Patch, Louisville Central, Presbyterian Community Center, & Wesley House) still serve Louisville's urban families with cultural and educational services.

Pendennis Club

Sit In Demonstration Site

The Seelbach Hotel

Thomas Merton - (1915-68) / A Revelation

Thomas Merton - (1915-68)Trappist monk, poet, social critic, and spiritual writer. Born in Prades, France. After education at Cambridge and Columbia Univ., he entered Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Ky., 1941; ordained as priest, 1949. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1948), earned international acclaim. He is buried in abbey cemetery. A RevelationMerton had a sudden insight at this corner Mar. 18, 1958, that led him to redefine his monastic identity with greater involvement in social justice issues. He was "suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people...." He found them "walking around shining like the sun."

Rotary Club of Louisville / Henry Watterson Hotel

Rotary Club of Louisville. First Rotary Club in Ky. and 45th in the world. First met on July 26, 1912 and then weekly at the Henry Watterson Hotel from 1912-1924. The Rotary’s service theme led to creation of Ky. Soc. for Crippled Children. At club’s 100th anniv. The Rotary Promise Scholarships were created to provide college tuition for needy students. Henry Watterson Hotel. Opened April 29, 1912 on Walnut Street. With 10 floors and 250 rooms, hotel was popular meeting location for civic events, state & national conventions. Named for long-time Courier-Journal editor, Henry Watterson. Designed by Brinton B. Davis, who designed Louisville Gardens and Ky. Hotel. Demolished in 1981.

Blue Boar Cafeteria

Nannie Helen Burroughs / Notable Educator, Social Activist

Nannie Helen Burroughs A suffragist, orator, educator, & club/church leader for gender and racial equality, she worked in Louisville for the Foreign Mission Board of Nat’l Baptist Convention from 1900-1910. She created the Woman’s Industrial Club to teach work skills to Black women & was a founder of the Woman’s Convention NBC & KY Assoc. of Colored Women. Notable Educator, Social Activist Burroughs opened the National Training School for Women and Girls in Washington, D.C. Pupils learned to become wage earners & homemakers. The school was renamed in her honor in 1964. Burroughs dedicated her life to a just society by advocating for voting rights as political power, full citizenship, & against lynching.

The Good Shepherd Order

Integrating the Past with the Present

The development of the Health Corridor along Muhammad Ali Boulevard presents an opportunity to integrate the area's rich history into its future. By incorporating the past into the present, the Health Corridor can become a more vibrant and meaningful part of the city's urban landscape.

Rendering of the Southwest corner of Third & Walnut Street in 1947 with present day (Broken Sidewalk)

One way to incorporate the past into the present is by using new technologies to create interactive digital displays that showcase the history of the area. For example, augmented reality (AR) technology can be used to create virtual overlays that show historic buildings and events in situ. Visitors to the Health Corridor could use a mobile device to scan a QR code or access an app, and then see virtual images overlaid onto the real-world environment, providing a glimpse into the past.

Another way to incorporate the past into the present is through public art installations that celebrate the history of the area. For example, murals, sculptures, and other public artworks can be designed to highlight significant events, people, and buildings from the past. These artworks can serve as focal points for community gathering and conversation, and can help to create a sense of identity and pride in the area's cultural heritage.

It's worth noting that the current historical markers along the Health Corridor are often easy to miss or pass by, blending into the streetscape and failing to capture the attention of passersby. Therefore, it's important to find new and exciting ways to tell the story of the past, utilizing innovative technologies and interactive displays that can capture people's attention and engage them with the history of the area. By doing so, we can ensure that the cultural and historical significance of the Health Corridor is not lost, but instead becomes an integral part of the area's vibrant and dynamic present and future. The development of the Health Corridor can be designed to complement and enhance the existing historic structures and streetscapes of the area. By integrating new buildings and public spaces with the existing urban fabric, development can create a sense of continuity and connection between the past and the present.

Watterson Hotel rendering on Muhammad Ali Boulevard (Broken Sidewalk)

Finally, the development of the Health Corridor can be designed with an eye towards sustainability and resilience, drawing on lessons from the past to inform innovative approaches to the future.

In conclusion, the development of the Health Corridor provides an opportunity to incorporate the past into the present, creating a more vibrant and meaningful urban environment. By using new technologies to showcase the history of the area, creating public art installations that celebrate its cultural heritage, and designing the development to complement and enhance the existing urban fabric, the Health Corridor can become a model for how to integrate history, innovation, and sustainability in urban development.