Louisville, Kentucky, has been referred to as the northern-most southern city and the southern-most northern city because, even though the city is located in a southern state, it has been influenced heavily by both the southern and northern cultures. The city is also referred to as Kentuckiana because some of the metropolitan area is located within Indiana. Many important events have transpired within Louisville and its surrounding areas. Edison's light bulb was first viewed in Louisville. The city opened the first library open to African Americans in the South. It also can boast building, and successfully transplanting, the first self-contained artificial heart. The cheeseburger was invented in Louisville in 1934. One of the most well-known songs in the world “Happy Birthday to You” was written by Mildred and Patty Hall in their Kindergarten class. The original name of the song was “Good Morning to You.” The population of the Louisville Metropolitan area, which includes 83 separate incorporated municipalities, has been estimated in 2009 at 1,252,900, which makes the Metropolitan area the 42nd largest in the Nation. The Louisville area has an estimated population of 721,500 persons. It is the 17th largest city in the Nation. Louisville is actually a governmentally consolidated city that brought together Louisville and Jefferson County in 2003. The official seal of the city reflects the history and heritage of Louisville. The 13 stars within the seal represent the 13 colonies and the fleur-de-lis is representative of the French aid given during the Revolutionary War.
There have been people inhabiting the area of Louisville since about 1000 BC. Archaeologists have found at least one Archaic, which is the Meso-Indian Period, Native American habitation site within the Jefferson County wetlands. People of the Adena Culture and Hopewell traditions settled after this. Archaeologists also have found about 30 Jefferson county sites that were associated with the Mississippi and Fort Ancient cultures dated from about 1000 AD until about 1650 AD. When the first Europeans began to explore the area, there were no settlements present. The area, at that time, had been primarily used as Cherokee and Shawnee Native American hunting grounds.
The first European settlement, Corn Island, was founded in 1778 by George Clark. Later in 1780, Corn Island became Louisville when the Virginia General Assembly approved the township's charter. Louisville had been named after Louis XVI of France. In 1828, Louisville became incorporated. Louisville was one of the largest slave traders in the United States before the Civil War and during the War, conversely, Louisville was a major stopping point for the Underground Railroad. The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875 at the Louisville Jockey Track, later to be known as Churchill Downs. A lot of destructive weather out breaks has occurred in Louisville. On Mar 27, 1890, Louisville suffered an F4 tornado that killed about 120 people. From January to February 1937, 19 inches of rain fell and caused the “Great Flood of 1937.” In 1974, during the Super Outbreak, Louisville, again, suffered a devastating F4 tornado.
Between 1956 and 1984, Jefferson County voters rejected 3 proposals to create a consolidated local government with Louisville. In 2000, the voters finally approved the merger between Jefferson County and Louisville. On January 6, 2003, the Louisville Metro Government was formed.
This distinction was given to Louisville in 2009. Home costs average between $97,900 for the downtown area up to $146,200 in Shelby County, a Metropolitan area of Louisville. The average apartment rent, as of August of 2010, for a single bedroom is $570, a 2 bedroom costs about $725, and for a 3 bedroom, $900. The cost of living in the Louisville Metropolitan area is about 11% below national average as of August 2010. They rank 16th in the nation. Gas prices are higher than the national average of $2.70, at $2.78, as of September 2010.
The climate of the Louisville area is considered humid-subtropical. The city averages about 87 days of low temperatures below freezing annually. The city averages about 31 days annually for high temperatures above 90 degrees. There are 4 distinct seasons in the area with an average of 14.7 inches of snow annually and the average rainfall is about 45.5 inches. January's mean average temperature is 33 degrees while the mean average temperature in July is 78.4 degrees. Year 2010 was the 3rd hottest summer on record with temperatures averaging over 100 degrees. Louisville, in May of 2010, received the “Place Maker Award” by the Foundation for Landscape Studies. This accolade was directed at 21st Century Parks Incorporated which is a non-profit organization overseeing the creation of a public parks system within Jefferson County. This award is given in recognition for creativity in landscaping design, for stewardship of the site and for preservation.
The unemployment rate for both Louisville and the United States, as of August 2010, is 9.7%. There are approximately 62,100 persons unemployed within the area but there currently are 639,600 persons employed within the civil labor force. The average salary is $37,400 while the median household income is $28,843, which is quite a bit lower than the national average of $44,512.
Louisville is the leading producers of gin, tobacco, whiskey, and Louisville Slugger baseball bats. Other exports include, paint, electric appliances, rubber, and chemicals. Major corporations include Humana, Kindred Healthcare, Inc., Papa John's Pizza, the Hilliard Lyons investment firm, Republic Bank and Trust Company, Thorntons Inc., Texas Roadhouse, General Electric appliances, and the Yum! Brands, who are the owners of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza hut as well as other fast-food restaurants. Louisville jobs can best be obtained by going to the unemployment office in downtown or by applying directly to the companies of choice. Labor workforce temporary services mainly are used to obtain temporary employment until such time the person can apply for and land a more permanent job. With the blending of Louisville and Jefferson County, those within governmental positions, such as the respective police forces, were not very accommodating to the merger. Fortunately, the mayor and the consolidated city council were able to smooth things over and now both work cooperatively together.
The best eats in Louisville are primarily locally owned restaurants from high-end upper-crust restaurants to cafés which are very prevalent here. The Blue Dog Bakery and Café, on Frankfort Avenue, is an American restaurant that offers gourmet bakery and café items. Their home-made breads, which are baked in a wood-burning oven, have received rave reviews. They serve great pastries, omelets and lunch specials that include prix fixe options. Prix fixe is a menu listing fixed foods for fixed prices.
The English Grill, located at the Brown Hotel on West Broadway, offers Continental cuisine. Their average main course is $29. They have been reviewed as being one of Louisville's finest restaurants. The English Grill's seasonal menu includes duck with terriue of fois gras with corn, and a grilled loin of lamb with mint and lemon. A prix fixe menu is also available. A minimum of 4 people are required to utilize the prix fixe menu, which is $95 per person and $150 with the inclusion of wine. Check's Café, on East Burnett, offers classic German food. The fare is excellent with popular selections including bratwurst sandwiches, bean soup, burgers, fish, chicken, and hand-rolled oysters. Their average main dish cost is $7.00.
The Louisville Slugger Museum, on West Main Street, parallels with the 114 year history of America's National Pastime, Baseball, as evidence by the great collection of bats from famous sluggers whose careers exemplify why the Louisville Slugger is the official bat of Baseball. There is also a tour behind the scenes that takes the patron through the entire manufacturing process of the Louisville Slugger. Adult admission is $10; seniors above 60 can enter for $9, and children ages 6 – 12 is $5.
The Kentucky Opera is the 12th oldest opera in the United States. The Opera was founded in 1952 by Moritz Von Bomhard. It was designated as Kentucky's State Opera in 1982. It also has the distinction as being one of the first regional Opera Companies in the Nation. “Music! Words! Opera!” is a program that was established in May of 2000. It is a year-long program that trains teams of teachers to help students create their own operas. The Rudd Program for Young Artists, created in 2000, is a 15-week program that takes 4 singers and a pianist and attempts to bridge the gap between conservatory learning and a professional career. The Kentucky Derby Museum, on Central Avenue of Churchill Downs, opened in 1985. Their education department offers a free children's program to all public and parochial schools within Indiana and Kentucky. They also have an Outreach Program that educates Kentucky youth about the history, economics and the significance of the Kentucky Derby.
The best way to see Louisville is to go out and experience it. One way to do this is by using the City Trade Tours, on West Broadway, that are available. They have a variety of Louisville tours. These include top rated city tours, ghost tours and food tours. Tours that are available include City Sites, Kentucky Foods and Southern Flavors, Kentucky Sweets and the Louisville Ghost Experience Tour. Cherokee Park was designed by Frederick Olmstead in 1892. It is one of the most visited parks in the Nation, 69th place. The park is a 409 acre municipal park that offers such sites like the Scenic Loop, a 2.43 mile mixed use road and Lover's Lane, a secluded and heavily forested stretch of the Scenic Loop. The park also offers a Frisbee Field, which is a large open field, and Nettleroth Bird Sanctuary, which is located in a quiet corner of the park.
The American Zoological Association named Louisville Zoo the “State Zoo of Kentucky.” The Zoo is located on Trevilian Way and they exhibit 1,300 animals in naturalistic and mixed animal settings. They have drawn international recognition for animal husbandry, scientific study and conservation. The Louisville Riverfront and Riverwalk, from 4th Street to Chickasaw Park, are 7 miles of scenic trails along the Ohio River. It offers a beautiful landscape of wooded forests, historic markers and water fountains.
If a person can't find something to do at night, they are not leaving their house or hotel. There is so much selection of nighttime activities in Louisville, every taste and want can be assuaged. The Connection, on South Floyd Street, is a “straight-friendly” gay and lesbian bar that features dancing and Drag Shows. Their cover is $3 to $20 depending on the day and show. This is the place for people to go if they like to dance and there is a huge dance floor that can accommodate up to 500 people. Other venues include a video bar that features male dancers and a theater that hosts various Drag shows that have been reviewed as the best in Louisville.
There is the Comedy Caravan that will brighten anyone's mood. It is on Bardstown Road in the Mid-City Mall and the cover is $8 to $12 depending on the show. There are first rate comedians that make people laugh-out loud on a nightly basis. The Tengo Sed Cantina, on South 4th Street, has been reviewed as “All Fiesta No Siesta.” It is a Cancun-style total dance party that has drink specials and fabulous DJ's. The Sports and Social Club, on South 4th Street, that has been billed as the “Best Sports Bar in Louisville.” It features 4 huge projection screens and a multitude of flat screen TV's that show just about any sport imaginable. They also have top-of-the-line food like salmon, steaks, wings, and burgers. Molly Malone's Irish Pub and Restaurant, on Baxter Street, has an Old World-style pub interior with a very modern outdoor deck. The food includes traditional Irish fare such as shepherd's pie, poached salmon, bread pudding, lamb stew, and other Irish faves.
Neither one! Louisville has a wide selection of both. The convenience of major shopping centers and department stores, most times, has small boutiques located right next to them. Stop into one of these small boutiques and you may find it surprising. The Ladybug Classic Trendz, on US Hwy 42, is a gift store with top of the line items including Brighton accessories, Vera Bradley and a unique selection of bath and body gift ideas. They also have fun and flirty apparel from Three Dot Tees, Nanette Lapere, Michael Star Tees, and Trivia Tuck.
The OZ, on Taylorsville, is a gallery of art that has a graphic artist that will work with personal photos to create custom art pieces on canvas that have the look of an oil or watercolor painting. It is a great place for framed art prints as well as interesting and unique mirrors. Pottery Rowe, on Frankfort Avenue, is owned by Melvin Rowe. He makes interesting clary artwork that has been sold in Louisville for 30 years. He creates functional, whimsical and decorative stoneware as well as a variety of mixed media. His works have been exhibited nationally and internationally in various galleries and venues. Ear X-tacy, on Bardstown Road, is a specialty store that is open every day. It is a great place finding a CD that is not easily found anywhere else. They also sell mugs, CD holders, and key chains.
After such a full and fun day, there is a definite need to relax. Before that dinner date or dance night, look up a spa and relax yourself into readiness. The parties await you so get ready to enjoy. The following are just a small sample of the spas that are available in Louisville. Tranquility Salon and Spa, on Shelbyville Road, strives to offer personalized and intimate services without the “assembly line” or high sales pressure of other salons. The staff has numerous years of experience and training. One of their favorite packages is Sheer Tranquility for $200. The package includes a one-hour full-body massage, a one-hour signature organic facial, a manicure, lunch, a shampoo and style, and a pedicure. They also offer a package called Her Escape for $95. This one includes a one-hour signature organic facial, a manicure, a one-hour full body massage and a shampoo and style. They will also customize packages upon request.
LeBliss Salon and Spa, on Lexington Road, offers Reike and Aromatherapy massages, full body exfoliation, hot stone treatments, facials, pedicures as well as manicures. They provide a variety of salon and spa services to pamper the client and their guests from head to toe. They are a Yo-Ka and Redkin elite salon. The offer hair care, hand and feet treatments, waxing's, makeup, body treatments, facials, massages, and microdermabrasion.
Interesting events and attractions in Louisville-Jefferson County continue to amaze many tourists. They may come here on September to witness the Bluegrass Balloon Festival. This is the nation's fifth largest hot air balloon festival featuring balloon races early in the morning and balloon glows at night. October is also a great time for tourists to visit Louisville to celebrate the world's largest Halloween party at Louisville Zoo. Whatever month tourists choose to come here, they are always welcomed with the convenient and excellent services of the hotels in Louisville and Jefferson. Affordable rates will make the guests spend a week-long vacation and enjoy the famous attractions without worrying on accommodation expenses. La Quinta Inn and Suites Louisville does not only offer reasonably priced accommodation but a dynamic service as well. The guests will surely enjoy their leisure time at the outdoor swimming pool, restaurants and lounges. This property has 97 comfortable guestrooms. Also, major attractions are just a few minutes away. Another affordable choice is the Crowne Plaza Louisville, which is ideal for vacationers and busy travelers. The location is accessible to many local attractions. The hotel offers business services for the business travelers as well. Indoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar are available to the guests. Crowne Plaza has 588 hotel rooms to accommodate a large number of guests.
Another exceptional and affordable choice is the Candlewood Suites located near the Louisville airport. The rooms have fully equipped kitchens, overstuffed recliners, televisions with premium channels and large executive desks for businessmen to work on. There are many other affordable hotels in Louisville and Jefferson that provide satisfying services and accommodation to couples, families and leisure travelers.
Higher education is usually an important goal to work toward achieving for many young adults today. As more and more of the ‘better' jobs require that there at least be an associate's degree in the field where they will be working. With this in mind it is important to look at the schools that are available in area of in the city where they currently live. Should someone have the drive and interest in becoming a doctor and lives in the city of Louisville then they are in luck.
The University of Louisville is a pioneers in many a medical techniques. From the development of the first cervical cancer vaccine, several hand transplants and even the worlds very fist wireless artificial heart transplant. With such a noteworthy university lying within its boundaries it really is not surprise that the percentages of individuals holding a bachelor's degree over the age of 25 is pretty close to the national average at 21.3 percent to the national average of 24 percent. The same goes in turn for people who have obtained a high school diploma, with the difference being 76.1 percent versus the 80 percent of the nation. The higher education comes from a strong foundation of primary and secondary schools. There is even a large amount of Catholic schools as well which is largely due to the fact that there is hefty concentration of Catholics within Louisville. There is definitely a strong benefit to living here and having children attend the public schools. And the school system can be noted in being a key figure during the civil rights movement. Even to the point where an old law regarding supervised bussing of African American's to formally all white schools. When it was brought back up in current times it was the subject of much controversy as it could have been used to do selective enrollments within schools.
Like many, many major cities in the country Louisville has several modes of transportation that it uses. An odd fact, one of those obscure bits of info which ends up winning people money in those game shows, is that the Louisville International Airport is the base of operation for none other than United Parcel Service aka UPS. It is there in the city of Louisville that the company managing and maintains the largest packing center, handling over 3.5 million passengers as well as 3 million pounds of cargo a year. Three million pounds of cargo a year is an insane amount to even begin to consider.
Though the airport is not the only means with which transportation is conducted, for normal travel through the city there is the bus system for the commuters to take. Still, for such a large and bustling city, one would expect to also find some form of a railway system as well. Strangely while there are trains that run in the city, going to and from it on a daily basis none of these trains are outfitted to carry passengers. The trains that currently operate and run within the city are all freight trains and while it can be assumed that people have probably used it for travel it was surely not legal, unless they were one of the crew; making Louisville the fifth-largest city in the country that to have trains that do not provide a passenger service. Though there has been discussion of perhaps building a train system for the use of passenger's travel it has no made it past the discussion phase as of the year 2007. When and if this will ever come about is not sure, does the city actually need a train? So far it appears to be functioning just fine without it.
Inside the city limits of Louisville Kentucky has long been known as the Metro. The Metro government tries to keep the residents involved and satisfied. To that goal, the city government offers 24/7 customer service. It's called Metrocall and the phone service and email are available at all hours 7 days a week via 311 or the link to their email here: http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroCall/contactmetrocall.htm The online administrative services are also outstanding and extensive. In addition to just acquiring forms, answers to FAQs and contact information for city employees and departments, Louisville residents can do everything from getting a pet license or accident report to paying tax, utility bills, bond or child support, getting special permits, or disputing parking tickets on the city website.
Metro Council meetings are held in the re-opened City Hall and all are welcome. The meetings are open but if a citizen wants to participate by speaking, they must register with the Metro Council Clerk's Office prior to the meeting. Only 3 residents can speak on one position, 6 total for each topic, and 10 total per meeting. If a resident is not sure which city services are supposed to be done when, they can get a map of services and schedules for their address right here: http://mapit.louisvilleky.gov/mapit/ The court system addresses topics by having separate courts for separate issues. There are juvenile, traffic, drug, misdemeanor, felony, family, child support, civil, mental disability, and general courts. What seems like a lot of courts actually makes the process simpler in that residents go to a specific court for a specific reason. Most of these proceedings are instituted or held in the same building: the Hall of Justice.
One of the services most applauded by the public is the service offered by the city to explain exactly how tax dollars are being used. On the city's website at http://www.louisvilleky.gov/yourtaxdollarsatwork/ residents can look up where tax money comes from and where it goes, even as far as finding city salaries by employees' names, which vendors are being paid and for what, and how the money is spent for the people.
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