Louisville History

The French Connection

With a history that spans over two centuries, Louisville has played a pivotal role in shaping the American landscape since its early days as a trading post on the Ohio River. The land that is now Louisville served as hunting grounds by the Shawnee and Cherokee peoples before Europeans arrived in 1669 when René-Robert Cavelier explored areas of the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys from the Gulf of Mexico up to what is now Canada, claiming much of this land for France.

The first settlement in the area was founded in 1778 by the legendary Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark. Originally a French outpost known as La Belle, the evolution of a thriving trade port eventually drew people to the Falls of the Ohio River and led to the birth of the town named for French King Louis XVI in honor of his support of the American colonies.

Louisville played a pivotal role in American history when, in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Capt. Meriwether Lewis and Lt. William Clark to embark on a journey across North America with the goal of expanding American presence on the continent and discovering new resources. 

The two explorers organized their expedition in Louisville at the Falls of the Ohio. After a grueling journey, they visited Locust Grove in Louisville, where they shared their incredible discoveries with locals. The expedition proved to be a valuable source of information about the geography, trade, and resources of the American West. Additionally, Lewis and Clark gained a wealth of knowledge about the customs and cultures of the Native American tribes they encountered during their journey.

Gateway to the South

Louisville quickly grew into a hub of commerce and transportation, thanks in part to its strategic location at the confluence of three major waterways - the Ohio, Mississippi, and Tennessee rivers. The city's early years were marked by a flurry of activity, as merchants, settlers, and entrepreneurs flocked to its shores in search of new opportunities and adventures.

“Louisville is one of the handsomest and most attractive cities in the Union. Its streets are clean, spacious, and well paved; the buildings are large, and the stores magnificent. It has an air of business and prosperity that is very pleasing.” – Charles Dickens (1842)

Throughout the 19th century, Louisville continued to grow and evolve, becoming a center of culture and innovation as well as a major hub of industry and transportation. It was during this time that the city became known as the "Gateway to the South,” thanks in part to its location at the crossroads of several major thoroughfares, including the Ohio River and the National Road.

Racing Towards the Future

Louisville rapidly emerged as a significant port city along the Ohio River. The year 1811 saw the arrival of the first steamboat in Louisville, which in turn, spurred industrial growth in the city. As the Civil War erupted, Louisville served as an essential base for Union operations and military supplies. Moreover, a considerable number of enslaved individuals sought refuge in Louisville on their way to Indiana, a free state, as they sought to escape the bonds of slavery.

Perhaps most famously, Louisville became the home of the Kentucky Derby in 1875, cementing its place as a cultural icon and drawing visitors from all over the world. 

Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr., the grandson of expedition leader William Clark, was inspired to create a horse racing event after attending the Epsom Derby in Europe. Clark's uncles, John and Henry Churchill, generously provided the land to develop a racetrack. The newly established Louisville Jockey Club organized the inaugural Kentucky Derby on May 17, 1875, where fifteen Thoroughbred horses galloped before a staggering crowd of 10,000 spectators. The racetrack was renamed Churchill Downs after Clark's two uncles, a few years after the first race.

The Kentucky Derby has continued uninterrupted since its inaugural race, making it the longest-running sporting event in American history. Millions of people worldwide tune in each year to watch the Kentucky Derby, place their bets, and witness the winner being crowned with the coveted garland of roses.