NORTH LOUISVILLE – JEFFERSON COUNTY, KY
City/County Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
527 W. Jefferson
Louisville 502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
614 W. Main Street
Louisville 502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Major Highways
Interstates 71, 264, 265;
U.S. Highways 22, 42, 60
Residents of Louisville’s northern neighborhoods and those who have settled in the northern suburbs of Jefferson County all enjoy quick and easy access to local and regional attractions and services. A network of interstate highways forms connections to major parkways and highways to provide a convenient suburban lifestyle between urban Louisville and the open countryside of Shelby and Oldham counties. This area encompasses charming and friendly Louisville neighborhoods like Bonnycastle, Crescent Hill, Phoenix Hill, and Portland. It also includes thriving cities, small towns, and unincorporated population centers in Jefferson County.
Services
Well-served by the Jefferson County Public School System, area youth receive a quality education in modern schools that emphasize individual attention with a pupil-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. Strong public support for education is evidenced in the high per-pupil expenditure, ensuring modern classrooms and labs as well as libraries that offer access to more than 17,000 computers. Throughout the metropolitan area, opportunities for higher education range from private schools and academies to vocational and career institutes, community colleges, and leading colleges and universities.
State-of-the-art healthcare is close to home, including Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, LaGrange’s Baptist Hospital Northeast, and Jewish Hospital in Shelbyville. Throughout the metropolitan area, respected medical centers and specialty institutes anchor a network of emergency clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, family practice clinics, and skilled professionals who represent nearly every specialty and most subspecialties.
Lifestyle
Throughout the northern neighborhoods of the City of Louisville and the suburban communities that dot northern Jefferson County are lush parks, historic sites, fine museums, cultural attractions, and a wealth of recreational amenities and facilities. One of the most popular regional destinations for relaxation and outdoor activity is the 369-acre oasis of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. Rolling fields that were once farmland now offer some of the finest indoor and outdoor recreation facilities in Kentucky.
Aficionados of shopping will find a number of options. Retail centers and plazas provide a pleasing selection of department stores and leading retailers, along with eateries, cinemas, restaurants, and colorful special events. The local Spring Hurst Towne Center and Westport Plaza are both convenient to residents of northern communities.
In the heart of Louisville, residents can enjoy world-class live stage productions, musical concerts and dance performances in historic or modern venues. Beautiful recreational developments like Owl Creek Country Club in Anchorage combine with fitness centers, tennis courts, swimming pools, skating rinks, organized recreational programs, and family fun centers for a full complement of leisure activities. Tucked away in growing suburban communities are charming shopping districts, casual and fine restaurants, first-rate services, and thriving commercial and industrial areas for a finely balanced environment that supports a wide variety of lifestyles.
LOUISVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Bonnycastle
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Located in north-central Louisville, the residential haven of Bonnycastle took its name from a family that once lived on a grand estate in this area. Today, Bonnycastle is brimming over with single-family homes and apartments designed to accommodate a wide range of lifestyles. This region in close proximity to the expansive Cherokee Park has developed a bustling commercial strip. Bonnycastle is bounded by Bardstown Road, Eastern Parkway, Speed Avenue, and Cherokee Park. This region is rich in lush parkland and golf courses, enhancing the neighborhood setting with sweeping vistas of greenery and creating a more open feeling. Residents are actively protecting the single-family character of Bonnycastle, which is part of the Highlands Historic District. This area is also convenient to the Louisville Zoo, the Kentucky Aviation Museum, and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Butchertown
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
As one of the northern neighborhoods of Louisville, Butchertown has a rich history dating back to the 1830s. This area is approximately bounded by Main Street, Mellwood Avenue, Interstate 65, Beargrass Creek, and the Ohio River. Traditional artisans and craftspeople such as butchers, tanners, coppers, soap makers, and candle makers established businesses throughout the neighborhood. Like many historic areas, the decades saw properties slipping into disrepair. A group of residents established Butchertown, Inc., in the 1970s and began renovating homes. This active organization is quick to notify interested newcomers about low-interest federal loans that are available to update and remodel the area’s homes. Federal money made possible the quaint brick sidewalks that now complement the successful revitalization efforts throughout the neighborhood. The energy and vitality of Butchertown residents and impressive preservation efforts have been successful in attracting many new residents including young professionals to this prime location in close proximity to downtown Louisville.
Crescent Hill
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Situated in northeastern Louisville, the area known as Crescent Hill took its name from the crescent shape of the ridge on which it stands. Crescent Hill is general considered Louisville’s first “commuter suburb.” The early growth of the community paralleled that of the railroads that carried passengers to and from work downtown beginning in the 1860s. For decades, the neighborhood managed to preserve a considerable share of rustic, country charm to the point where a hillside along Payne Street was known as “Billy Goat Hill” for the roaming herds of goats. In spite of the inevitable change that time brings, Crescent Hill is remarkably the same today as it was more than a century ago. Shops, cafes, and bistros still line the geographical axis of Frankfort Avenue. Beautiful ancient trees shade landmark churches and the child development center that was historically an orphanage. The Peterson-Dumesnil House, a mansion built by a tobacco baron shortly after the Civil War, serves as the headquarters for the Crescent Hill Community Council.
Germantown
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Germantown is another historic neighborhood in northern Louisville, established in 1849 by German-Catholic immigrants seeking refuge from political upheaval. Bordered by the CSX Railroad tracks, Broadway, Barret Avenue, Beargrass Creek, and Goss Avenue, the hamlet thrived from the late 1800s through the turn of the century when candle making, butcher shops, a glue factory, and a paper mill were the flourishing businesses. Today, Germantown boasts the highest number of shotgun-style houses in Louisville, many of which are camelbacks. A housing fund recently constructed a cluster of affordable new homes nestled in the Paristown Pointe subdivision to stimulate residential growth. The community spirit is strong throughout this colorful and unique neighborhood that attracts newcomers with “more home for the dollar” in a close-in neighborhood.
Phoenix Hill
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Nestled in northeastern Louisville, Phoenix Hill was another region that was founded
by German settlers in the mid 1800s that is undergoing exciting revitalization. The neighborhood is bounded by Main Street to the north, Preston Street to the West, the Baxter/Broadway intersection to the east, and Broadway to the south. By the early 1900s, the area was a lively entertainment and social center that slipped into difficult times when Prohibition closed the local brewery. Over the decades that followed, businesses closed and housing fell into disrepair. In the mid 1970s, the Phoenix Hill Association sprang to life and managed to transform the neighborhood into a model revitalization area within 24 months. The group launched its ambitious program by making a 58-block area eligible for federal funding. Many of the clapboard houses that are more than 100 years old feature the charm of brick walks and iron fences. New homes have recently been built in the area in the same style as the vintage camelbacks to retain the quaint atmosphere. Beautiful parks are replacing some neighborhoods where dilapidated structures once stood.
Portland
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Nestled in the northwestern section of Louisville, Portland was once a natural stopping place for watercraft and boats headed upstream to the falls of the Ohio. As you might expect, the community once flourished on the portage business. Many of the magnificent estate homes command outstanding views of the river and the falls. Construction of the Louisville and Portland Canal led to the further development and eventually eliminated the need for all boats to unload in Portland before passing through the falls. Because of the neighborhood’s close proximity to the river, flood waters plagued Portland residents. Many families were forced to relocate after tremendous personal losses. The successful construction of a floodwall prevented further flooding of this scenic riverfront area, opening the door to a rebirth of renovation and vital new development. Today, many historic homes are being purchased for remodeling and updating. Some of the larger estates are ideal for subdividing into charming apartments.
SUBURBAN JEFFERSON COUNTY
Anchorage
Municipal Offices
502-245-4654
www.cityofanchorage.org
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Located in northeastern Jefferson County, the small city of Anchorage was originally named for a riverboat captain who declared that he had finally found a place to drop anchor. Formerly a summer getaway for wealthy residents of the city, modern Anchorage now offers a comfortable home to a growing number of residents. Part of the attraction to this charming community is the cluster of quaint homes that were built by some of the city’s first settlers. Equally impressive is the area’s designation as an historic district by the Interior Department. Several parks and scenic small lakes add scenic value to the area, which is also home to the Owl Creek Country Club. The city is also convenient to the expansive recreational facilities of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park. Newcomers can choose from beautiful older homes shaded by mature greenery or lovely new construction in a variety of price ranges and architectural styles.
Glenview, Glenview Hills
Municipal Offices
502-292-1997
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Nestled in Jefferson County, the communities of Glenview and the adjacent development of Glenview Hills offer a hometown setting. Within the attractive city of Glenview, lush foliage secludes well-preserved waterfront estates that line River Road. In the late 1800s, Glenview sprang to life as a collection of magnificent country estates, most of them owned by wealthy families who settled on the high bluffs overlooking the Ohio River. Today, the community is home to more than 250 upscale residences. Newer construction in this area is generally designed to appeal to upper middle-class and affluent residents. These elegant modern homes now encircle the original estates to offer a pleasing variety of architectural styles. The original estates in the Glenview area were frequently the sites of lavish debuts, elaborate weddings, and premier Kentucky Derby celebrations. Glenview is bordered by Lime Kiln Lane on the east, River Road and the Ohio River itself on the north, and Brittany Woods Circle property on the south.
Harrods Creek
Municipal Offices
Louisville Metro Hall
502-574-2003
www.louisvilleky.gov
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
Nestled in northeastern Jefferson County, the unincorporated community of Harrods Creek not only borders the rolling Ohio River but is also bisected by two large creeks and surrounded by a collar of high hills. Harrods Creek has long held an attraction for Louisville residents. With U.S. Highway 42 forming an approximate eastern boundary, the community fringes Lime Kiln Lane to the south and Hay Kennedy Park on the north. The genesis of the Harrods Creek community dates back to the 1700s when the Ohio River’s current made the mouth of the waterway a natural stopping place for flatboats. By the early 1900s, the Harrods Creek area was a favored summer retreat for the wealthy whose lovely mansions still punctuate the landscape. Just 15 miles from downtown via River Road, the community has nevertheless managed to preserve its serene ambiance and quiet, rural flavor. The Captain’s Quarter Marina, Juniper Beach Docks, and Harrods Landing Yacht Club attest to the water-oriented and relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by residents of panoramic Harrods Creek.
Lyndon
Municipal Offices
502-423-0932
www.cityoflyndon.org
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
The incorporated city of Lyndon in north-central Jefferson County was originally developed by pioneer Alvin Wood. Along the railroad tracks on his own land, Wood constructed a depot in 1871 so that he and his neighbors could catch a train without traveling to St. Matthews. Wood decided to call his depot Lyndon, a name that became synonymous with the community. Today, Lyndon is booming with a rapidly growing population. The suburb is bounded by the Watterson Expressway on the west, Westport Road on the north, and Whipps Mill Road to the east. The southern border is formed by Shelbyville Road. Newcomers to Lyndon will discover affordably priced homes and apartment developments that are convenient to services and shopping districts. Residents of Lyndon enjoy a centralized location in close proximity to E. P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park’s expansive recreational amenities, private schools, institutions of higher education, and respected hospitals.
Prospect
Municipal Offices
502-228-1121
www.prospectky.com
Chamber of Commerce
502-625-0000
www.greaterlouisville.com
The city of Prospect straddles Jefferson and Oldham counties, although the majority of the development is focused in Jefferson County. This rapidly growing region offers an affluent community atmosphere where planners and residents are both dedicated to preserving the quality of the environment. Convenient to Harrods Creek Yacht Club, Prospect also offers residents the premier recreational amenities of the Hunting Creek Country Club. Environmental sensitivity is one of the hallmarks of this panoramic community. Prospect is a city characterized by attractive subdivisions where trees are left undisturbed to grace new construction sites with mature foliage, and wooded vistas provide glimpses of deer and other wildlife. While dramatic river bluffs still define the Prospect topography, the area is gaining the sophistication of a suburban haven with fine shopping and dining facilities.
