Back in the day, bricks were cheaper than clay or gravel — making them a popular material to make roads. | Photo by LOUtoday
If you’ve done any amount of driving in the Crescent Hill area, you’ve likely driven up or down the bumpy slope connecting Grinstead Drive to Frankfort Avenue.
Known as the Peterson Avenue Hill, the 603-ft by 30-ft cobblestone incline is one of the last remaining brick streets in Derby City. While the drive is short, its history is not.
Peterson Avenue was constructed in 1902 with vitrified bricks laid at an angle in a sand base for traction. It was built as the Peterson-Dumesnil House estate was divided into the growing Crescent Hill neighborhood — the avenue was laid just west of the house’s original driveway.
The angling of the brick on the street is the only one of its kind still in existence in Louisville today.
Local lore around the hill tells the story of the early 19th-century automobile in Louisville. Local car dealers would say their vehicles could take Peterson Hill in high gear, no problem — and many put the claim to test on the street. Legend says the fire department would also use the hill to test its new fire engines.
Bonus: Do you think the Peterson Avenue Hill deserves a Kentucky Historical Society marker? Learn how to nominate it.
Asked
Asked
The Peterson Dumesnil House was built for John Peterson. What business was he in?
A. Racehorses B. Tobacco C. Bourbon D. Automobiles
Red Hot Chilli Pipers | 8 p.m. | Mercury Ballroom | $31+ | Yep, you read that right — this bagpipe band plays covers of rock and roll tunes, plus originals.
Downtown Drive-in | 8-11 p.m. | Brown-Forman Amphitheater | Free | Aliens are about with a showing of “Men in Black” while TEN20 Craft Brewery slings snacks and drinks.
Kentucky State Fair | Friday, Aug. 22-Sunday, Aug. 24 | Kentucky Expo Center | Times vary | $12+ | It’s the final weekend to celebrate all things Bluegrass State with music, livestock shows, food, carnival rides, and more.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Family Canoe Day | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Chickasaw Park | Free | Get a safety course and head out on the water, all equipment provided.
Taste of South Louisville 50th Anniversary | 6-8:30 p.m. | Churchill Downs | $72 | Head to the Ford First Turn Club for bites ranging from Mexican desserts to BBQ — children’s tickets range from $0-$18.
Lou City vs. New Mexico United | 8 p.m. | Lynn Family Stadium | $19+ | School’s back in session, and LouCity wants to recognize the influential educators in our lives during Teacher Appreciation Night.*
Sunday, Aug. 24
Sunflowers & Sips | 3-5 p.m. | Purposeful Ponte Studio | $35+ | Paint a cute Highland Cow at this easy-to-follow, step-by-step class — BYOB.
Ordinary Elephant | 7-9 p.m. | Logan Street Market | $20 | Watch the folk duo (and married couple) performs songs filled with the banjo, guitar, and octave mandolin.
Kick off the weekend with live music every Friday. | Photos courtesy of Evan Redman and Charlie Garwood
We’re officially in the dog days of summer — but the fun doesn’t have to stop.
Hi-Wire Brewing in Phoenix Hill offers a family-friendly space with 20+ beers on tap, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and a jam-packed events calendar to keep the good times going, including:
Neighborhood Bark Crawl | Aug. 23 | 2-10 p.m. | Grab your pawsports and celebrate National Dog Day by visiting nearby bars + restaurants, then head back to Hi-Wire for professional dog portraits. All proceeds go to the Arrow Fund.
Mango Lazerade Tye-Dye Party | Aug. 30 | 12-5 p.m. | Sip on your new favorite hard lemonade while creating your new favorite t-shirt.
Picolas Cage Day | Sept. 27 | 2-7 p.m. (+ trivia at 5 p.m.) | Test your Nicholas Cage knowledge with trivia while tasting Wickles Pickles beer.
Phoenix Hill Chili Cookoff | Nov. 23 | 12-6 p.m. (tasting 1-3 p.m., live music 4-6 p.m.) | Does your recipe have what it takes to be crowned best in the neighborhood?
Plus,weekly and monthly events include ping pong tournaments, live music, puzzle challenges, trivia nights, and yoga classes.
1,000. That’s how many students will be able to attend J. Blaine Hudson Middle School, which is set to break ground this fall. It’s the first new middle school in Western Louisville in nearly 100 years. (Louisville Business First)
Open
Garage Bar is set to reopen tonight after a brief closure and change of location. (WHAS11)
Outdoors
Several UofL entities, along with other community groups, have joined the Greenprint Project, a new initiative to promote pollinator gardens, microforests, and canopy improvements. Check out the map of current greening projects.
Plan Ahead
It’s almost time for Worldfest, the annual celebration of Louisville’s international cultures and communities. From Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1, the Belvedere will host food vendors, artists, performances, and the Parade of Cultures.
Mailbag
Yesterday, we asked you who has the best pizza in Louisville — and you had thoughts. Here’s what one reader had to say: “Slice N Dice in Crestwood. Best sourdough crust and best ingredients in metro Louisville!” Stay tuned for more reader pizza choices.
Sports
National media buzz is growing around Jeff Brohm’s squad as a potential dark horse contender. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Cards with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Seasonal
Christmas in ... August? If you’re a local business with a product or service you’d like to share with our readers this holiday season, consider securing your promo now before we sellout. Our Holiday Shopping Spotlight Bundle includes three newsletter inclusions discounted by 20%.
The Buy
Psst. Is it too soon to say…boo? Look away, summer fans. If you’re ready for fall, read on for our top decor picks:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Yesterday, I had a chance to taste some of the very first pours of a new bourbon from Jackson Purchase. It’ll be for sale for the first time at the Bourbon Festival in Bardstown next month and hitting store shelves shortly after that. You won’t want to miss this one — it’s just four years old but easily stands up to bourbons twice its age.
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