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Old Louisville Guided Walking Tour: Architecture Exploration
5.0
2 Ratings
Louisville
Discover the grand architecture of Old Louisville on a guided walking tour. Explore historic mansions, iconic landmarks, and learn about the neighborhood's fascinating history.
Duration:
50 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad’s Castle) - Discover the architectural beauty of Old Louisville’s renowned “Conrad’s Castle” and delve into the history of St. James Court, a prestigious residential area in the heart of this magnificent Victorian neighborhood, just a mile from downtown Louisville.
- Central Park - Once the home of the famous DuPont family’s descendants, Central Park has long been known as “the green heart” and “the lungs” of Old Louisville. In the early 1900s, it was redesigned by Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm and is one of about 20 Olmsted designs in the city. This area also played a significant role during the Southern Exposition, which began in 1883 and put Louisville and Kentucky on the map. On this tour, a friendly guide will share more about this impressive agricultural and mercantile trade show—an early world’s fair—and how it contributed to the development of one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the bustling river town.
- St. James Court Fountain - Since the 1890s, this beautiful statue of Venus rising from the sea has been the symbol and cultural center of the Old Louisville neighborhood. In the 1970s, it was recast at the Motts Foundry in Brooklyn, and the decorative railings from the balcony seating area of the recently demolished Strand Theater on Fourth Street were used to enclose this focal point of the leafy residential enclave. It’s the perfect spot for a selfie or two.
- Fountain Court - Having a guide is beneficial because you might miss this hidden gem on your own! Just steps from the famous neighborhood fountain is one of Old Louisville’s secluded “walking courts.” The guide will lead you to the gate on South Fourth Street, where you’ll discover more three-story brick residences from the city’s Gilded Age.
- 1401 S 4th St - This grand brick residence at the corner of South Fourth Street and West Magnolia Avenue was once home to a popular Louisville mayor and a key figure in the local preservation movement. It was also the site of the wedding of one of the city’s most famous personalities. Can you guess who got married here when Harvey Sloane and his wife lived in the house?
- Culbertson Mansion - Built in 1897 as one of the largest private residences in the city, this 52-room mansion with its glazed orange brick exterior is now a popular bed and breakfast. For the first 50 years, it was home to Samuel Culbertson and his family. Samuel, the son of Indiana’s wealthiest man at the time, served as the president of Churchill Downs while living in what would become known as the city’s “Millionaires Row.” Unsurprisingly, there are many horse-racing secrets associated with this house. Do you know what idea Samuel Culbertson implemented in 1932, the year Burgoo King won the Kentucky Derby?
- 1442 S 3rd St - Built in the Beaux Arts style during Louisville’s Gilded Age, this impressive ashlar façade reflects influences from the larger “cottages” of the Victorian elite in Newport, Rhode Island, and other East Coast locations. A well-known city councilman restored it during the preservation efforts of the 60s and 70s, but initially, one of Louisville’s most prominent bourbon barons called it home. On this tour, your guide will share more about this German-Jewish immigrant who made a name for himself on South Third Street, the city’s first paved thoroughfare.
- 1476 S 4th St - At South Fourth Street and Hill Street, on what was once the southeast corner of the massive Southern Exposition building, lies a row of nearly identical Châteauesque townhomes known as “Werne’s Row.” Built in 1897 for Joseph Werne, a prominent jeweler and antiques dealer, he lived in one of the residences with his wife, while Dr. William Wathen resided in the iconic blue house overlooking Belgravia Court. The interiors were designed by Claude Balfour, and the exteriors by F. W. Mowbray, the architect of the still-standing Union Station at Tenth and Broadway in downtown Louisville.
- Belgravia Court - Whether by day or night, gas flames flicker in the street lamps lining this charming residential address. You’ll be glad you joined our guided walk when you enter Belgravia Court, one of the country’s hidden design gems, accessible only on foot (hence its designation as one of Old Louisville’s “walking courts”). Strolling through four secluded, tree-shaded “quadrants,” you’ll enjoy eye-catching architecture and lovely façades, including the stunning William Wathen Mansion at 402 Belgravia Court, built during the neighborhood’s heyday. This is quintessential Old Louisville and will be a highlight of your 50-minute tour to learn about the “history and highlights” of Old Louisville.
- 1473 St James Ct - Built around 1890, this striking, towered brick residence at the south end of St. James Court has long been a beloved local landmark—not just in the neighborhood, but in the entire city of Louisville. The eye-catching shades of pink that cover the façade are a more recent addition, and on this tour, you’ll learn why the Pink Palace looks the way it does today. You’ll also hear about the building’s alleged scandalous past, even if much of it is attributed to legend and lore. This is a private residence today, so please do not try to enter!
- Saint James Court - After strolling through Belgravia Court and admiring the Pink Palace, you’ll enjoy one last look at the neighborhood’s finest architecture as you return to the starting point of your 50-minute tour. Built on the site of the temporary main building for the grand Southern Exposition of 1883, St. James Court emerged as an elegant, London-inspired enclave for the well-to-do in a burgeoning new suburb at the city’s southern end. Among the architectural styles on display, you’ll find examples of Arts & Crafts, Richardsonian Romanesque, Châteauesque, Italianate, Renaissance Revival, Queen Anne, and Neo-Georgian. Today, St. James Court stands as a testament to the tastes and whims of the Victorian era, as well as the perseverance of the many preservationists who fought to save this area in the 1960s and 1970s.
What's Included
- Expert-led in-person narrations
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
- Admission to the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum: $20 guided; $15 self-guided
Additional Information
This expedition is specifically crafted for those who are pressed for time but retain a deep desire to explore Old Louisville. Within a span of less than an hour, you’ll traverse St. James Court, Fountain Court, Belgravia Court, along with numerous blocks of the historical Millionaires Row. With professionally guided commentary, you’ll be enlightened about the early settlers of this area including bourbon magnates, racetrack elites, and significant figures in the tobacco industry. A selection of the remarkable structures you’ll see from the walkways entail the Samuel Culbertson Mansion, Caldwell’s Castle, the Pink Palace, and the stately William Wathen Residence. Moreover, you’ll bear witness to the iconic Fountain at St. James Court and the verdant Central Park.
Old Louisville boasts an array of splendid architectural masterpieces dating back to the late 1800s and the onset of the 1900s. During this trip, you will behold breathtaking exhibits of Richardsonian Romanesque as well as Renaissance Revival styles. And that’s not all, there’s a plethora of Italianate, Châteauesque, Queen Anne, Federal, Neo-Georgian, and Arts & Crafts styles to be admired too.
- If you’d like to go inside Conrad-Caldwell House Museum you may purchase tickets separately for select days of the week (Wednesdays-Sundays). Please check your ticket voucher for the ticket website
- Not recommended for people who rely on walkers, crutches, or canes
Location
1402 St James Ct
Saint James Court
This 50-minute walk departs from in front of the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, right across the street from Central Park. Admission to the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum is not included on this walking tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
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Mary_j
May 26, 2024
MUST DO - EXCELLENT WALKING TOUR OF LOUISVILLE! - We thoroughly enjoyed all of the information that our tour guide provided during the walking tour. Louisville is rich with wonderful stories & history. This is a MUST DO activity if you visit Louisville.
Review provided by Viator