Saint James Court, Louisville
Saint James Court is a defining feature of Old Louisville and forms the northern section of the Saint James鈥揃elgravia Historic District. Once the site of the Southern Exposition (1883鈥�1887), the area was a stage for innovation and spectacle. Thomas Edison famously illuminated the fairgrounds with what was then the largest electric lighting display outside New York, while the electric trolley made its dazzling debut. The Exposition left its mark not just in memory but in the shape of the neighborhood that followed.
After the Exposition concluded, the land was transformed into one of Louisville鈥檚 earliest examples of planned urban design. Rather than fronting busy streets, homes along Saint James Court were oriented toward a green pedestrian mall. This thoughtful layout鈥攁long with Belgravia and Fountain Courts鈥攕et a precedent for city development and contributed to the neighborhood鈥檚 enduring charm. Grand Victorian mansions now flank Saint James Court, their facades facing a landscaped oval dotted with mature trees and centered around an ornate bronze fountain. Gas lamps still flicker at night, preserving an air of calm elegance.
The court reaches peak vibrancy every October during the Saint James Court Art Show. One of the nation鈥檚 largest open-air art fairs, the event draws hundreds of artists and craftsmen and attracts crowds in the hundreds of thousands. For three days, the shaded green promenade is transformed into a gallery of color, texture, and creativity鈥攕et against the backdrop of historic splendor.
In recognition of its architectural and cultural value, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
After the Exposition concluded, the land was transformed into one of Louisville鈥檚 earliest examples of planned urban design. Rather than fronting busy streets, homes along Saint James Court were oriented toward a green pedestrian mall. This thoughtful layout鈥攁long with Belgravia and Fountain Courts鈥攕et a precedent for city development and contributed to the neighborhood鈥檚 enduring charm. Grand Victorian mansions now flank Saint James Court, their facades facing a landscaped oval dotted with mature trees and centered around an ornate bronze fountain. Gas lamps still flicker at night, preserving an air of calm elegance.
The court reaches peak vibrancy every October during the Saint James Court Art Show. One of the nation鈥檚 largest open-air art fairs, the event draws hundreds of artists and craftsmen and attracts crowds in the hundreds of thousands. For three days, the shaded green promenade is transformed into a gallery of color, texture, and creativity鈥攕et against the backdrop of historic splendor.
In recognition of its architectural and cultural value, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
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Saint James Court on Map
Sight Name: Saint James Court
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 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
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.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
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