Rev. Sheppard’s historical marker stands just in front of the housing development that bears his name. | Photo by LOUtoday
Today we’re continuing our series on Louisville’s historical markers. Today’s subject is Historical Marker 2055: William H. Sheppard.
Born in Virginia in the waning months of the American Civil War, William Henry Sheppard grew up in a religious household. In his biography, “Presbyterian Pioneers in Congo,” he recalls a local woman telling him “William, I pray for you, and hope some day you may go to Africa as a missionary.”
Sheppard did go on to become a missionary and helped build churches + schools for escaped and freed slaves. He was an accomplished linguist fluent in several indigenous languages, and his writings would go on to be important for future ethnographers — he was even made a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society in 1893.
After returning to the United States, Sheppard settled in Louisville as the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church. He was a community and faith leader in Smoketown until his death in 1927. Sheppard Park and Sheppard Square are both named in his honor.
“MJ - The Musical” | Friday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 14 | Times vary | Kentucky Center for the Arts | $101.57 | This Tony Award-winning musical pays tribute to the king of pop’s music and moves.
Saturday, Sept. 13
Breakfast with the Beasts: Australian Animals | 9-11 a.m. | Louisville Zoo | $40 | Your ticket includes a hot breakfast featuring a waffle bar, parking, and zoo admission for the day.
Beargrass Creek Canoe Tour | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Louisville Community Boathouse | $20+ | Hop in a canoe and let your guide discuss the local biome + Louisville’s waterway history.
Algonquin Park Jazz Festival | 12-7 p.m. | Algonquin Park | Free | Line dancing, food trucks, and a whole lot of live jazz await you at this community event.
Sunday, Sept. 14
The Big Table 2025 | 5-7 p.m. | Iroquois Park | Free | Bring food and share a meal with your neighbors at this annual community gathering.
Great Flood Brewing Co. is back as Big Rock Bar & Brewery. It has moved its brewing operations entirely to its Shelby Park production facility, and the Highlands taproom is currently serving drinks with a kitchen under construction. (Louisville Business First)
Open
A new restaurant is now open in the former Cafe 360 spot on Bardstown Road. Hurry for Curry offers a mix of Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan fare, with a limited current menu that is expected to expand. (Courier Journal)
Coming Soon
A new bar, event hall, and community space in Merriwether will open later this month. Jubilee Field will feature food truck hookups, a moveable stage, and space for fire pits. Come check it out at the grand kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 27. (Louisville Business First)
It’s that time of year again. Louisville coffee shops are starting to roll out their fall menus. Who has your favorite drink this autumn? We want to know.
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I’ll leave you with one more piece of William H. Sheppard history this morning. The Sheppard Square Housing Project was torn down and rennovated into Sheppard Square in 2012. Louisville historian Mary Pace conducted an oral history project with the residents — and you can listen to the whole thing via UofL’s archive.
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