I have now completed an item off my bucket list: run a half marathon  ✅ 

(I know, I look like a hot mess. But cut me some slack, I had just finished running 13.1 miles)

Here’s a link for some Louisville upcoming events if you are interested: Upcoming Events

However, I could not have done it without the help of the beautiful city of Louisville in the state of Kentucky. So for this weeks blog, I will be sharing:

a. The Correct Pronunciation of Louisville

b. The History of Louisville

c. The Top 5 places to Take Selfies At

d. 5 Things to do for $10

Pronunciation

Now pronunciation might not seem like a big deal, but it is for Kentucky residents. How would you feel if somebody came into your state trying to change the pronunciation of your hometown? Not fun or funny. So here is a small image to help with pronounciation:

OR

You could also follow these two different ways to pronounce it as mentioned by U of L Assistant Professor of Linguistics, Elizabeth Patton.LOO-A-VUL: “Yes.”

LOO-A-VILLE: “Yes.”

LOOEYVILLE: “No.”

LOUIS-VILLE: “Oh definitely wrong.”

History

Louisville, largest city in Kentucky, U.S., and the seat of Jefferson county, opposite the Falls of the Ohio River. Louisville is the centre of a metropolitan area including Jefferson county in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana. Bridges spanning the Ohio link the city with New Albany and Jeffersonville, Indiana. Following a referendum passed in 2000, the city and Jefferson county merged in 2003, thereby more than doubling the city’s population and increasing its area more than sixfold.

The first recorded visit to the area by Europeans was on July 8 (my birthday), 1773 (not my birth year), when Captain Thomas Bullitt arrived to survey the lands with a commission from the governor of Virginia. During the American Revolution, a group of settlers accompanying the American officer George Rogers Clark settled (May 1778) on Corn Island (since swept away by floods) opposite Beargrass Creek, where Clark organized a base for the conquest of the British-held Old Northwest. Most of the settlers who came with him moved ashore the following winter and established Fort-on-Shore (Fort Nelson) within the present city limits. The town was organized in 1779 and named for Louis XVI of France; it was incorporated as a town the following year.

By 1811 Louisville had become an important frontier and river-flatboat trading place, and its development was further stimulated that year when Captain Nicholas Roosevelt docked the New Orleans, the first successful steamboat to ply the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The city had become a major river port by 1820, and further stimulation came about with the construction (1825–30) of the canal around the 25-foot- (8-metre-) high Falls. Louisville’s commercial influence extended over a vast area of the South and the Midwest. During the American Civil War, the city served as a military headquarters and a major Union supply depot. It escaped the ravages of war and became an important way station for slaves seeking freedom in Indiana, across the river. A vigorous campaign to reclaim the South’s trade followed the war. In the 1880s the Louisville and Nashville Railroad was extended to Jacksonville, Florida.

The city’s economy was boosted during World War I when Camp Zachary Taylor was built nearby, and, later, when Fort Knox was enlarged. Periodic flooding of the Ohio necessitated extensive protection work; a destructive flood in 1937 caused widespread damage.

New industries were established during World War II, notably the production of synthetic rubber. The city is a leading producer of bonded bourbon whiskey and cigarettes. In addition to synthetic rubber, other products include paint and varnish, aluminum items, appliances, automobiles, pottery, and printed matter. Services are increasingly important, notably health care administration, and Louisville International Airport is a national hub of air cargo traffic. Tourism is also an important component of the economy. The American Printing House for the Blind (1858), which publishes books in Braille, is located in Louisville, as is the headquarters of the Hillerich & Bradsby Company, makers of the famed Louisville Slugger baseball bats (although most bats are now made elsewhere).

The University of Louisville was founded in 1798 as Jefferson Seminary. The city is also the seat of two Roman Catholic institutions—Spalding University (1814) and Bellarmine College (1950). Southern Baptist (1859) and Louisville Presbyterian (1853) theological seminaries are also in the city. The J.B. Speed Art Museum and the Louisville Science Center are other notable institutions.

As the scene of the annual Kentucky Derby, held every May at Churchill Downs since 1875, the city’s name has become synonymous with horse racing. The Kentucky State Fair, one of the oldest agricultural fairs in the United States, features an annual horse show that closely rivals the Derby in interest. Many historic buildings, including the homes of George Rogers Clark and an early residence of inventor Thomas Edison, are open to the public. The stern-wheeler Belle of Louisville holds its annual race with the Delta Queen during the Kentucky Derby Festival. 

Top 5 Places to Take Selfies @

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat

8th & Main streets

Supersized stats: 120-feet tall, weighing 68,000 pounds

Fun facts: The “World’s Largest Baseball Bat,” at the entrance of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, has been towering over Louisville’s skyline since 1996. Made of steel, it’s an exact-scale replica of the 34-inch Louisville Slugger bat that baseball legend Babe Ruth batted with in the 1920’s.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Rocks Glass

6th & Main streets

Supersized stats: 6-by-6-foot cylinder, 1,264 gallons

Fun facts: In the front window of its lobby, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience features a giant Bourbon bottle pouring into an oversized rocks glass. If the glass were actually filled with Bourbon, it would hold 1,264 gallons – aka – 23 full barrels of Bourbon. That’s more than 6,000 750ml bottles and more than 100,000 Bourbon shots. Let the good times pour! If you really want to sample some Bourbon, be sure and pop into the distillery to take the tour, which includes a Bourbon tasting.

Angel’s Envy Mural

500 E. Main St.

Supersized stats: 8-feet wide,

30-feet tall

Fun facts: Get in the Louisville spirit and stop by the Main Street distillery to take a selfie in front of this Bourbon mural created by Louisville artist Bryan Patrick Todd.

21c Museum Hotel David Statue

7th & Main streets

Supersized stats: 30-feet tall

Fun facts: Inspired by Michelangelo’s 16th century marble statue of David, artist Serkan Ozkaya created three double-sized, golden replicas of the world-famous sculpture, one of which landed on Louisville’s Main Street in 2012. Its journey from Istanbul, Turkey, included a stop in New York City before it found its final resting place in front of the 21c Museum Hotel.

Caufield’s Vampire Bat

10th & Main streets

Supersized stats: 30-feet tall, 15-feet wide, 1,500 pounds

Fun facts: With the world’s longest-known cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park in south central Kentucky (less than 100 miles away), it makes sense that a larger-than-life vampire bat made its way to Louisville’s Caufield’s. The novelty shop has been a local favorite since the 1920s for folks looking for a unique Halloween costume or festive New Year’s Eve party favors. Built in-house in 2004, it’s the second giant bat to make its way to Louisville’s Main Street (The Louisville Slugger baseball bat is the first).

5 Things to do for $10

Louisville Cream

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop of Louisville Cream. The small-batch gourmet ice cream shop pays homage to its Bourbon City roots with tasty flavors like Bourbon Smoked Pecan. About $4 per scoop

Big Four® Bridge

Get some fresh air during a stroll or bike ride on the Big Four Bridge. The bicycle and pedestrian bridge spans the Ohio River and connects Louisville to Jeffersonville, Ind. The two-mile, round-trip journey offers breathtaking views of the city, river and Waterfront Park. Be sure to take in the bridge’s light show that starts every evening at sunset. Free

Speed Art Museum

Take a free tour on Sunday of the Speed Art Museum, the oldest, largest and foremost museum of art in Kentucky. The Speed houses ancient, classical and modern art from around the world. The 220,000-square-foot museum also features an outdoor art park and piazza, a café and cinema. Free on Sundays, thanks to Brown-Forman

21c Museum Hotel

Pop into the 21c Museum Hotel (Conde Nast Traveler has voted it among the top hotels in the world) on historic Main Street in the Museum Row district. Browse the world-class contemporary art on display by artists from all over the globe and snap a selfie with David (inspired by Michelangelo’s 16th century statue). Free

Louisville Visitor Center

Looking for a great selfie spot? The Louisville Visitor Center in downtown Louisville is just the place. You can snap a photo of the neon sign outside featuring several pronunciations of Louisville. Or, head indoors to get a pic with a life-size replica of Louisville icons, KFC founder Col. Harland Sanders or boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Free

I hope you enjoyed this weeks blog! If you would like more information on visiting Louisville, please click the following link: Fun Awaits!

Till next time! I’m off to get myself some ice cream from Louisville Cream!