Metro Hall, Louisville
Louisville Metro Hall, originally known as the Jefferson County Courthouse, is the historic seat of government in downtown Louisville. Construction began in 1836, and by 1842, the unfinished structure was already in use by both city and county authorities. Designed by architect Gideon Shryock in the Greek Revival style, the building was initially conceived with grand elements such as a full Doric portico, a cupola, and symmetrical wing porticos. However, after Shryock's resignation in 1842, the project was scaled down under engineer Albert Fink, and it was not completed until 1860. Despite public criticism at the time, the structure went on to play key roles in city, state, and national history.
In the 1840s, the courthouse grounds witnessed both slave auctions and abolitionist speeches, reflecting Kentucky鈥檚 conflicted identity before the Civil War. During the war, it briefly served as the state capitol when Frankfort was occupied by Confederate forces. Hopes that the building would become Kentucky鈥檚 permanent capitol were dashed, earning it the nickname 鈥淕uthrie鈥檚 folly,鈥� after politician James Guthrie. A 1905 fire prompted renovations by Brinton B. Davis, and by the mid-20th century, preservation efforts began to outweigh calls for demolition.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the building is now known as Louisville Metro Hall and houses the Mayor鈥檚 Office and several judicial and administrative offices. Its grounds feature two significant statues: one of Thomas Jefferson and another of King Louis XVI, the latter gifted by Montpellier, France. The latter statue was damaged during the 2020 protests, symbolizing the evolving public dialogue around civic monuments.
In the 1840s, the courthouse grounds witnessed both slave auctions and abolitionist speeches, reflecting Kentucky鈥檚 conflicted identity before the Civil War. During the war, it briefly served as the state capitol when Frankfort was occupied by Confederate forces. Hopes that the building would become Kentucky鈥檚 permanent capitol were dashed, earning it the nickname 鈥淕uthrie鈥檚 folly,鈥� after politician James Guthrie. A 1905 fire prompted renovations by Brinton B. Davis, and by the mid-20th century, preservation efforts began to outweigh calls for demolition.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, the building is now known as Louisville Metro Hall and houses the Mayor鈥檚 Office and several judicial and administrative offices. Its grounds feature two significant statues: one of Thomas Jefferson and another of King Louis XVI, the latter gifted by Montpellier, France. The latter statue was damaged during the 2020 protests, symbolizing the evolving public dialogue around civic monuments.
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Metro Hall on Map
Sight Name: Metro Hall
Sight Location: Louisville, USA (See walking tours in Louisville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Louisville, USA (See walking tours in Louisville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Louisville, Kentucky
Create Your Own Walk in Louisville
Creating your own self-guided walk in Louisville is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Louisville Architecture Walking Tour
Louisville, Kentucky, is famous for its architectural marvels, featuring a combination of styles and eras, sizes and artistic directions, adding a great deal of uniqueness to the city panorama. Architecture buffs will be delighted at a chance to admire the elaborate edifices abounding the city.
One such iconic spot is Whiskey Row. Once a bustling hub of the local bourbon industry, it has been... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
One such iconic spot is Whiskey Row. Once a bustling hub of the local bourbon industry, it has been... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Historical Old Louisville Walking Tour
The third largest urban district in the United States and the country's largest preservation district of Victorian-era buildings, the Old Town of Louisville is an ideal area in which to travel through the city's history. It is here that Louisville's oldest and most peculiar houses and other reminders of the past are concentrated, featuring a wealth of architectural styles.
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Louisville Introduction Walking Tour
Poised on the banks of the Ohio River, Kentucky's largest city Louisville blends small-town charm with urban sophistication. The first European settlement in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville was on Corn Island, established in 1778 by Col. George Rogers Clark, credited as the founder of the city. Two years later, the Virginia General Assembly approved the town charter of Louisville. The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles