More On Butchertown!

The Louisville neighborhood known as Butchertown was the site of the area's first gristmill back in 1796 but later German immigrants, who established the area as a meat packing center in the late 1820's, gave the neighborhood its colorful name. Modern-day Butchertown has expanded beyond its historic roots; revitalization efforts over the last 20 years have made it an exciting location for young professionals.

Where is it? Butchertown is east of downtown Louisville, bounded by I-65, Main Street, I-71, Beargrass Creek and Mellwood Ave. Its proximity to a major turnpike (now Frankfort and Story avenues) and the creek was what made it an ideal location for meat packing in its early days as butchering was banned from the central city. Today, ironically, the remaining meat processing plant, JBS/Swift, is at odds with the neighborhood association over pollution issues.

What's the neighborhood culture? After German and later Irish settlers came to the area, Butchertown became a center of industry and sociability as taverns and beer gardens such as the Winter Gardens served area residents who lived near their jobs. The area had a distinct cosmopolitan flavor that was somewhat diluted as big meat processing companies took over the industry in the late 1800's. Despite decline, later revitalization efforts have left Butchertown an eclectic neighborhood, where working residents and professionals co-exist and share in future development plans. A strong neighborhood organization balances the interest of all residents.

The layout: Despite its heavy ethnic culture, the streets of Butchertown were named after early Whig politicians, so streets laid out in a grid patterns in the 1840's have names like Washington, Adams, Franklin, and Webster. (The names stayed even as the area deteriorated in the early 20^th century.) The grid structure was disrupted by later development. By 1931, the area was zoned industrial, then many homes were destroyed in the great Flood of 1937. After that, more homes were destroyed to make way for the Ohio Flood Wall and then for Interstates and the Kennedy Exchange. Many remaining residents abandoned the area for suburbia, leaving the proper street names, many interesting historic structures, and chopped up streets.

The present: Many historic building have been converted into art galleries, antique shops, and condominiums. What's there:

Historic homes, including the one Thomas Edison lived in. You can support the effort to keep this historic preservation past alive by attending the 32nd Annual Historic Homes Foundation Derby Breakfast before the Kentucky Derby on May 1. Make sure to follow our blog for the latest Derby Day festivities.

Exciting renovations, such as The Pointe, a former warehouse that is being redeveloped by the Tasman Develpment Group, as a mixed use facility including condos, retail, and commercial space.

A vibrant arts community which includes galleries, theater, film production, photography, and more. Neighborhood artists will be showcased in the Butchertown Arts Fair on May 15.

Interested in more Butchertown history? A new book about the area, Louisville's Butchertown (Images of America)is hot off the press as of February, 2010.

By the way, real estate in Butchertown is affordable, even if you are among our new medical residents or just starting out. Mollie Younger of Younger Group Real Estate! We know Louisville can give you the scoop