When the Portland neighborhood was founded as a rival town to Louisville in 1811, it was — well — a port. The Ohio River was central to the community and still is today — See: the local newspaper Portland Anchor + the planned children’s museum, AHOY.
Since its founding, several physical barriers have been built, blocking Portlanders and other residents of Louisville’s West End from the Ohio River.
I-64 was completed through West Louisville in the 1970s
Following the Great Flood of 1937, a flood wall and levee system was installed to protect the community from the water
Railroad tracks line the waterfront through much of West Louisville
Reconnecting communities
The study’s goal is to create a phased implementation plan to reconnect the neighborhoods south of I-64 — think: Portland and Shawnee — with the areas north of I-64 along the Ohio Riverfront. The study will include consideration for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Got feedback? A public meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Molly Leonard Portland Community Center. Stop by anytime over two open house sessions: 12-2 p.m. + 5-7 p.m.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will publish a final report from the study in the summer of 2025.
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 5-10:30 p.m. | Big Four Lawn | Free | Take in a live performance from Dark Side of the Wall, Zaniah, and +Flow in the final installment of this concert series for the year.
Author Talk and Book Signing | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 7-8 p.m. | Saint Matthews Branch Library | Free | Join Ellen Birkett Morris for a discussion of her award-winning novel, “Beware the Tall Grass.”
Thursday, Sept. 26
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Dinner | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Swizzle Dinner & Drinks | $125 | Enjoy a five-course dinner including steak tartar, swordfish +veal, each paired with Eagle Rare and Blanton’s bourbons.
Friday, Sept. 27
Basil Hayden Summer Concert Series | Friday, Sept. 27 | 4-6:30 p.m. | The James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont | Free | Sip a bourbon cocktail and listen to the Turner Hutchens band on the campus of this famous distillery.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Drag Volleyball Fundraiser | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 5-9 p.m. | Baxter Jacks Volleyball Club | $10+ | Enter a team to play, or just come as a fan, to support the Pandora Productions theater company that specializes in the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Steins on Main | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 2-7 p.m. | RePurposed | Free | This second annual Oktoberfest celebration is returning to Downtown Louisville, featuring German-inspired cuisine, games, contests, music, and an expanded lineup of local breweries.*
The second location of Louisville’s Steak & Bourbon restaurant will host a grand opening on Friday, Nov. 1. Located across 4th Street from Derby City Gaming Downtown, the upscale steakhouse will also serve burgers, soups, and salads.
Eat
There’s a new food truck at Gravely Brewing in the Clifton-Irish Hill neighborhood. Eliana’s Honduran Cafe serves tacos, burritos + Honduran cuisine like pastelitos, tostadas, and pollo chico. It replaces Gravely Grub, which opened in November. See the full menu.
Active
Can I kick it? Yes you can... at Russell Lee Park’s new soccer mini-pitch. Funded by the LouCity and Racing Foundation, the U.S. Soccer Foundation + Louisville Parks and Recreation, the hard court surface is designed for soccer programs and pickup games in the Park Duvalle neighborhood.
Kids
School is out for Jefferson County Public School students next week, Monday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 4. Check out this list of fall break camps from Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation + check out our guide to kid-friendly activities in Louisville.
History
Learn about the rich past of one of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods at the 2024 Schnitzelburg Fall History Walk on Saturday, Oct. 19. Meet outside Germantown Mill Lofts at 10 a.m. for free coffee + donuts before the guided tour. Space is limited for this free event, so send an email to reserve your spot.
Sports
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm said injured wide receiver Caullin Lacy will be a game-time decision for this weekend’s trip to Notre Dame. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Correction
Guess you can’t believe everything you see on the internet. Yesterday, we told you that Highlands shop Electric Ladyland was closing. According to representatives of the 46-year-old store, that story was false. Electric Ladyland is staying put and the building itself is no longer for sale.
Home
Looking for the finishing touches for your dream kitchen or bar? Whether you are a contractor, designer, or do-it-yourselfer, Mees Tile & Marble can assist you — no matter your budget or style. Swing by one of their showrooms for a complimentary consultation or follow them on Instagram for design inspo from the fourth-generation natural stone + tile supplier.*
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (Yes, it sounds pumpkin-spice bananas. But it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
So ahead of that eerie excursion we’re taking a look back at our Q+A with Dominé from 2021 — our first-ever interview here at LOUtoday.
How did you become an expert in Old Louisville ghosts?
Living in Old Louisville. I moved there in the 1990s and fell in love with the neighborhood. I lived in a house that was supposedly haunted. That got me interested in the spooky stuff down there.
Is there a mansion or area in Old Louisville you think is the most haunted?
There are a couple of places, but if I had to pick one, the Conrad-Caldwell house on St. James Court. That’s got lots of stories and I’ve talked to paranormal investigators who did investigations there and they say there are six different entities that have been documented there.
Earlier this month my co-editor Declan told you about William Shatner’s Louisville ties — Spoiler: Captain Kirk is a big fan of horses.
Shatner be in the Bluegrass State next month. On Friday, Oct. 4, he’ll be at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington for a screening of the biopic of his life.
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