You may already know about Louisville’s sister cities, but did you know there are 13 other cities in the United States that share Derby City’s name?
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Here’s a rundown of some of the other towns called “Louisville, USA” and — most importantly — how they pronounce it.
Louisville, GA
- Population: 2,318
- Pronunciation: Lewis-ville
First incorporated in 1786, this town was the first permanent capital of the state of Georgia. Like our very own Louisville, it was named for King Louis XVI of France in honor of his backing the US during the Revolutionary War. The similarities don’t stop there — it’s also in Jefferson County and there’s a Lexington, GA about a 90-minute drive away.
Louisville, CO
- Population: 20,560
- Pronunciation: Lewis-ville
Though it was founded during the gold rush, this town’s primary mining export was coal. Louis Nawatny founded the town in 1878 and named it after himself. Derby City is well known for its German heritage, but Louisville, CO attracted a large population of Italian immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Louisville, MT
- Population: 0
- Pronunciation: Unknown
Unfortunately, not all Louisvilles survive the passage of time. There is archaeological evidence of a mining town founded in the late 1800s in Montana as “Louiseville,” though it is alternatively referred to as “Louisville.” It was supposedly named after a woman named Louise Barrette — maybe they also had a Barret(te) Avenue? Despite growing to a sizable population in just a few years, Louiseville was not to last. An 1874 newspaper stated:
“The lumber and logs off the old town of Louisville [sic] have pretty much been utilized in building flumes. There are three souls and a ghost in Louisville.”
