We’ll cross that bridge

Celebrate the Big Four Bridge’s 10th anniversary

We can’t decide what time of day the bridge is most beautiful. | Photo via Waterfront Park

Ten years ago, the decommissioned railroad bridge hovering over the Ohio River in Waterfront Park was known as “the bridge to nowhere.” Today, the Big Four Bridge sees millions of visitors every year on foot and bike.

Throughout 2023, Waterfront Park will host events to celebrate the 10th anniversary — details to come. In the meantime, enjoy its night lighting and take a look at the bridge’s history.

1909 Big Four Bridge — *The bridge in 1909 from “Baird’s History of Clark County, Indiana”*

1895 | The railroad bridge is constructed to transport freight and passengers across the Ohio River. It is sold to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway — better known as the Big Four Railroad.
1929 | The bridge is reconstructed as a truss bridge (see: interconnected triangles framing the bridge) to better handle the weight of train traffic.
1969 | Due to a railway merger between the Big Four Railroad’s parent company and the Penn Central, the bridge becomes inactive. Its approach spans are scrapped, giving it the appearance of a bridge leading to nowhere.

1990s | The Waterfront Master Plan is developed with plans to repurpose the Big Four into a pedestrian bridge connecting to Jeffersonville, IN.
2013 | The city opens the bridge to pedestrian traffic and it is estimated that 1.5 million people cross it each year.

Bonus: The winner of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for best riverwalk will be announced on Friday, Feb. 17. Don’t worry, we’ll let you know if Waterfront Park wins.

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

February Plant Release | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 9 a.m. | Online | Reserve your shade perennial plants from Yew Dell Botanical Gardens online for pick-up for the spring 2023 growing season.
Couples Paint N’ Sip | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Noche Mexican BBQ, 1838 Bardstown Rd., Louisville | $140 | Paint a masterpiece with all supplies, a complimentary drink per person, and cupcakes included.
Darts Night | Wednesday, Feb. 8-Wednesday, March 1 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Spring Street Bar and Grill, 300 S. Spring St., Louisville | Free | Sign-up to play darts with prizes for first, second, and third place winners.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Flower Hour | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Nanz & Kraft Florists, 141 Breckenridge Ln., Louisville | $20 suggested donation | Sip Four Roses bourbon and snack on complimentary hors d’oeuvres while shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts at this tasting event benefiting the American Heart Association.
Sip, Shop, and Style | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 5-7 p.m. | Westport Village, 1315 Herr Ln., Louisville | Free | Grab a drink from Marigold Mobile Bar and shop women-owned pop-ups.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Prep for Valentine’s and game day in one trip

Prep for V-day and game day in one trip

Presented by a LOUtoday Partner

Score snacks, drinks, flowers, treats, and more at your nearest Kroger. | Photo via Unsplash

The big game is Sunday, Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, and Kroger has you covered for both.

Stock up for Sunday football with party trays, pizza, ribs, wings, snacks, and sips. While you’re there, grab everything you need for a romantic Valentine’s Day: from shrimp and heart-shaped steaks to floral arrangements, balloons, and more.

Pro tip: Stop by the Deli between Feb. 10 and Feb. 14 for long-stemmed strawberries (dipped in chocolate, of course).*

V-DAY THIS WAY

Weather

55º | Scattered showers | 40% chance of rain

Opening

Black Complex, an inclusive coworking space, will open in the Epping District with a soft launch slated for the end of February. The plans for the 11,000-sqft space include a café and photography studio. Read more about the entrepreneurs behind the project, Rachel Zink and Anna Sorrell. (Louisville Business First)

Number

3.88 million. That’s how many total passengers have traveled through Muhammad Ali International Airport. The airport is also celebrating its 37 nonstop destinations — its highest amount ever. ✈️

Eat

Union 15 — which shut its doors in January — will not stay closed for long. The pizza restaurant in Iroquois Park will reopen under new ownership as soon as March. Here’s hoping it’ll still serve cheesy bread. 🍕 (WHAS11)

Louisvillian

If you didn’t get enough of Jack Harlow at the Grammys, check him out in the forthcoming remake of “White Men Can’t Jump.” In his acting debut, Jack will star as an injured basketball player. Catch the film’s release on Friday, May 19 on Hulu. (The Courier-Journal)

Family

Spend Valentine’s Day as a family with Adam Rubin, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Human Kaboom.” The author will be at the Main Library (301 York St.) at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 and will feature a special appearance from Taco Dragon. Register for the event. 🐉

Asked

Do you know a Girl Scout troop that is selling cookies this season? Let us know where we can snag your S’mores and we may feature your troop’s sale in an upcoming newsletter. 🍪

Job

Coldwell Banker McMahan is seeking candidates for its New Licensee program, which provides training, mentoring, and coaching to individuals who want to establish their own successful real estate business. For consideration, email your resume to Lesley DePaola, Career Development Director.*

Wellness

Not feeling like yourself lately? Talkspace makes getting help easy and convenient. With live chat, video, and audio sessions, starting at $69/week, it’s affordable for everyone to fit therapy into their lifestyle, with or without insurance. Start feeling better today with Talkspace.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Last call for LOU-ve stories

Local LOU love stories

A viewfinder stands in the foreground of the Louisville skyline with map indicators pointing to three different buildings.

We’re looking for love in all the right places. | Graphic by LOUtoday

This is just your friendly reminder to share your Louisville love story by Thursday, Feb. 9 for a chance to be featured on our interactive map.

The map will show places where our readers have made memories around Derby City. We want to hear about every kind of relationship. (But do keep it PG, please.)

Here’s an example to get you started. Reader Allison M. said this of the Big Four Bridge:

“My boyfriend and I had our first date at the Red Yeti in Jeffersonville. [...] We walked on the pedestrian bridge that night and have been driving back and forth across the river to keep this Kentuckiana romance alive ever since.”

Do you think they’ll celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Big Four Bridge with a date to the Red Yeti?

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Jessalin.

Editor’s pick: Big thanks to Simon Meiners at the Frazier Museum for his help today (and in the past). I have a soft spot for history in Louisville, but my research skills are sometimes lacking. Check out Barrels of Heart (which features bourbon barrels transformed into art) in his honor.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Take a drive down Peterson Avenue Hill.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Katie Molck, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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