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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, founded in 1788 and named after King Louis XVI. In the 19th century, Louisville became a vital frontier and trading unit; the rapid industrial development helped the city to secure its position. During the American Civil War, the town served as a military headquarters and a Major Union supply depot, which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. In the 1880s, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was extended to Jacksonville, Florida.

The 20th century marked another face for the growth of Louisville. Throughout the 20th century, the art culture flourished in Louisville. The Speed Art Museum and Louisville Orchestra were founded. Several new industries were built during World War II, including synthetic rubber, paint aluminum item, appliances, and printed matter. However, the war affected the economy and development of the city since it became the war production center that led to massive losses of property and life. However, the city recovered its prosperity and development in the late 20th century.

Here below are some fascinating historical photos of Old Louisville from the 20th century that show street scenes, roads, landmarks, cityscapes, and everyday life.

#1 Car belonging to ‘Hep Cats’ on main street in Louisville, Kentucky, August 1940

Car belonging to 'Hep Cats' on main street in Louisville, Kentucky, August 1940

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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  1. That’s Bardstown Road at Bonnycastle. The building’s architecture bears a resemblance to the buildings in the Highlands area, and while it may appear similar to the Café 360 building, upon closer inspection, the shape and capital of the column are distinct enough to warrant further examination.

#2 Fourth Street, Louisville, 1905

Fourth Street, Louisville, 1905

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#3 The Ohio River and levee Louisville, 1905

The Ohio River and levee Louisville, 1905

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#4 Courthouse and Thomas Jefferson statue, Louisville, 1906

Courthouse and Thomas Jefferson statue, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#5 Union Station, Louisville, 1906

Union Station, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#6 The Post Office, Louisville, 1906

The Post Office, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#7 Columbia Building, Fourth and Main, Louisville, 1906

Columbia Building, Fourth and Main, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#8 The White City, Louisville, 1910

The White City, Louisville, 1910

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#9 Seelbach Hotel, Louisville, 1907

Seelbach Hotel, Louisville, 1907

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#10 The Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky, 1905

The Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky, 1905

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#11 Canoeing on the Ohio River on Saturday, Louisville, Kentucky, July 1940

Canoeing on the Ohio River on Saturday, Louisville, Kentucky, July 1940

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#12 A tobacco market, Louisville, 1906

A tobacco market, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#13 Central Park, Louisville, 1907

Central Park, Louisville, 1907

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#14 A tobacco market, Louisville, 1906

A tobacco market, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#15 Canal locks at Louisville, 1906

Canal locks at Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#16 A tobacco warehouse, Louisville, 1906

A tobacco warehouse, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#17 Downtown Louisville, Kentucky, May 1940

Downtown Louisville, Kentucky, May 1940

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#18 Louisville waterfront along the Ohio River, August 1940

Louisville waterfront along the Ohio River, August 1940

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#19 Mahogany mills, C.C. Mengel & Bros, Louisville, 1906

Mahogany mills, C.C. Mengel & Bros, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#20 Fourth Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, 1906

Fourth Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#21 Virginia Lively used to be a beauty operator, Louisville, June 1943

Virginia Lively used to be a beauty operator, Louisville, June 1943

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#22 The levee, Louisville, 1905

The levee, Louisville, 1905

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#23 City Hall, Louisville, 1906

City Hall, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#24 City Hall, Louisville, 1906

City Hall, Louisville, 1906

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#25 Colonnade, Central Park, Louisville, 1907

Colonnade, Central Park, Louisville, 1907

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#26 Ohio River levee at Louisville, 1905

Ohio River levee at Louisville, 1905

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Rare Historical Photos Of Old Louisville From 20th Century

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#27 Lincoln Savings Bank, Louisville, 1906

Lincoln Savings Bank, Louisville, 1906

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#28 Pendennis Club, West Walnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1906

Pendennis Club, West Walnut Street, Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1906

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#29 Market Street and Lincoln Savings Bank, , Louisville, 1941

Market Street and Lincoln Savings Bank, , Louisville, 1941

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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15 Comments

  1. These photos evoke a sense of frustration within me. The downtown area, as depicted in images #2 and #29, was far more captivating, vibrant, and desirable a hundred years ago than it is today. It’s hard to comprehend the choices the city made to systematically dismantle itself in the subsequent decades.

      • Personally, I’m more concerned about and saddened by the loss of the frequent, efficient public transportation provided by trams and streetcars that made the city a desirable place to live. While I don’t necessarily advocate for the return of horses to the streets, it’s worth noting that between 700-800 Kentuckians are killed by cars each year, which suggests that the replacement of equine travel with personal motorized vehicles has not necessarily improved the public health hazard angle.

        • I wholeheartedly agree with your sentiments regarding the trolleys. I’ve personally been advocating for the addition of light rail to the city since moving here, and prior to that, I was in favor of light rail between Louisville and Elizabethtown.

          • It’s remarkable to see what Louisville had in terms of public transportation back in 1906 and 1937. At that time, you could travel to downtown from a range of locations such as Prospect, Jeffersontown, Peewee Valley, Okolona, Iroquois, Valley Station, Riverview, and Shawnee. It’s unbelievable that we discarded such a comprehensive network in favor of parking lots. It’s disheartening how many people see even a single line of public transportation as a far-fetched idea when the city had already accomplished so much over a century ago.

  2. The Mengals, who owned the mahogany business, are the grandparents of my mother-in-law. They initially built car bodies using the wood and later moved into the furniture business. They even constructed a commercial ship, making for an intriguing history. Their house is located beside the Filson Club’s house in Old Louisville.

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