The Highlands

The Highlands neighborhood in Louisville is so-named because it was founded in on top of a ridge between the south and middle forks of Beargrass Creek – over 60 feet above the flood plain.

The area didn’t see significant development until the late 1860’s, several years following the beginning of construction on Bardstown Turnpike in 1832. Now Bardstown Road, the Turnpike would become the center for most urban development in the area.

In more recent history, the neighborhood has become the local epicenter for specialty stores and eclectic dining experiences since its commercial explosion in the 1980’s. As of late, the area is abound with antique shops, boutique clothing stores, and unique coffee shops and restaurants, making it a favorite weekend destination for many Louisvillians. I love coffee, and some of my favorite spots are Highland Coffee, Heine Brothers, Days Espresso & Coffee, and Starbucks!

In addition to the wide selection of restaurants and shops, the area hosts many festivals throughout the year. Perhaps the foremost is the Original Highlands Art and Music Festival, which is hosted by Barret Avenue every September.  In addition, Barret Avenue is the location of several independent art galleries, making it a favorite of local artists and art lovers.

 The area is also home to several parks, including the scenic Cherokee Park, which was established in 1891. Designed by renowned municipal park designer Frederick Law Olmsted, the park offers a long list of amenities, including a fishing pond, baseball fields, hiking, a civil war battle field, and an archery range, to name but a few.

Let''s not forget the beauty of Seneca Park, the last park designed by Frederick Olmsted in Louisville. 

There are nine distinct neighborhoods in the main Highlands. The Original Highlands neighborhood is home to most of the specialty stores and restaurants, which are mainly located around Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue.  Other neighborhoods include Phoenix Hill, Cherokee Park, Tyler Park, Irish Hill, Bonnycastle, Highlands-Douglass, Deer Park, and Belknap, which is home to the University of Louisville’s main campus. As a result of the Highlands’ close proximity to the University of Louisville and to the many offices downtown, the area is home to many educated professionals.

Like the neighborhood itself, the architecture of the Highlands is diverse. Mainly, residential buildings in the area consist of affordably priced shotgun houses and many of Louisville’s trademarked larger Victorian-era brick homes. The architecture of the main shopping district, around Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue, varies slightly, blending modern and historic storefronts.

With its history, parks, art galleries, and restaurants, the Highlands neighborhood in Louisville offers something to suite almost any personality.

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Old Louisville

Crescent Hill

Dating as far back as the 1780’s, Crescent Hill is one of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods.

Architecturally speaking, the area has a rich history. Most homes, churches, firehouses, the library, the water tower and several other area structures predate World War I. Several newer constructs, including the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Louisville Water Company, the Peterson-Dumesnil House  and Ursuline College, have served as significant draws for the community.

Located only four miles south of downtown Louisville, Crescent Hill provides its residents with easy access to the amenities of the city. With such a short commute from the economic center of Louisville, the area is home to many educated professionals. As of the 2000, over 50% of theCrescent Hill population consisted of college graduates.

Despite its early resistance to economic expansion, the area has seen an upsurge in recent years. In fact, Crescent Hill was recently featured by Southern Living magazine as one of their seventeen favorite “comeback” neighborhoods of the south. Frankfort Avenue is the heart of the area. Lined with small boutique shops, local merchants, and eclectic restaurants, the avenue is ideal for lunch, window shopping, or even just strolling. There are also several art and pottery galleries located in this area.

Despite its short distance from downtown, the area remains fairly quiet. For many, the residential, family-friendly vibe is a definite plus.

One of my favorite restaurants is Porcini which features Fine Northern Italian Cuisine.  It is located at 2730 Frankfort Avenue.  Another favorite for lunch is Blue Dog Cafe, also on Frankfort Avenue.

The Crescent Hill Community Council has been very active since early 1970’s, with the main goal of instilling a sense of community in the neighborhood. The Spirit of Crescent Hill award is an institution of the Council and is awarded yearly to area residents to recognize outstanding acts of community spirit.

The Council is also largely responsible for the many events of the area, including the Art and Music Festival, which takes place every July in conjunction with the Crescent Hill Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration.

The area also affords its residents easy access to several parks, including the Kennedy Court Park, which is currently being beautified by the Council. Residents also enjoy many close-by pools and the bucolic Crescent Hill golf course. These and the many other attractions of the area afford the area many options for local weekend entertainment.

For its family-friendly vibe, festivals, and amenities, Crescent Hill is a little slice of small town living with all the conveniences of the city.

St. Matthews

 

                                             PROSPECT 

Prospect didn’t see significant population growth until the railroad was built in the early 1900’s, dividing the farmland that had long defined its landscape. Now a well-developed suburb of Louisville, the town is located on the border of Oldham and Jefferson counties. Prospect is one of the few towns in Kentucky to straddle county lines.

The town has a population of nearly 6,000. Residents are mainly well-educated professionals. The estimated median household income (as of July, 2009) was $128,447. According to the 2010 Census, Prospect has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the state.

To suit, local housing is characterized by spaciousness and luxury. Condominium style housing is abundant, with prominent complexes like Harrods Creek Overlook and Smithfield Greene. Many traditional residential properties are available in subdivisions like Fox Harbor, Bridgepointe, and the Landings. 

The food scene in Prospect is diverse. Places like Louisville’s own Bristol Bar and Grille, Sieg’s on the River, Tea Station Chinese Bistro, and Ermin’s French Bakery and Café couple eclectic food and drink with ambiance. Several of the area’s locally-owned restaurants take advantage of the neighborhood’s location on the Ohio River, offering beautiful water-front views.

            Residents of Prospect should have no shortage of weekend recreation. The area is peppered with challenging, well-maintained golf courses, including Nevel Meade, Hunting Creek, and the GlenOaks Country Club. The Paracelsus Foxhollow and other area health spas provide healthy relaxation to area residents.

           Prospect also offers ample family entertainment. Henry’s Ark, a free to the public micro-zoo, provides educational fun for children and adults alike.  The Williams Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center offers family-friendly events and programs to educate the public on the local wildlife they seek to protect. Several other area attractions pair fun and education, making them ideal for family outings.

Prospect

is dedicated to creating a sense of community among its residents. As a result, the city government sponsors several events to ensure year-long fun. Since the city was founded, it has hosted a Fourth of July fireworks show for its residents. The float parade was added to the celebration in 1994. Additionally, it hosts an annual Halloween pumpkin painting party, a citywide book sale, Prospect Arborfest, and many other events throughout the year.

Just up the road on U.S. 42 was the Prospect Store. Considered to be the center of town, the store, which was opened in 1911, served the community for some 52 years. Joe Snowden’s family owned and operated the store for that period until the Five Star mini-mart purchased the land on that corner location. It was noted that in the 1930s, the store sold overalls to farmers and steaks to gentleman farmers. Three loaves of bread cost a quarter.
 

Prospect has hosted more Homearamas than any other place in Jefferson County. Homearama is a showcase for new and innovative home building sposored by the Louisville Association of Homebuilders.

Prospect is listed as a Third Class city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky''s city designation system. This means it has the right to have its own police department, its own city services and has the final say-so on zoning issues.

Combining community involvement, eclectic restaurants, beautiful vistas, and hours of family fun, Prospect is one of Louisville’s gems. It’s sure to delight people of all ages.

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Fern Creek

 

Home of 1905 world heavyweight boxing champion Marvin Hart and country music songwriter Chilton Price, Fern Creek, Kentucky is steeped in history. Structures in the area date back as far as 1789. 

Like much of Louisville, Fern Creek has had a long-time love affair with excellent food.  Restaurants like the Hungry Pelican, Jolly Mon’s Bar and Grill, and Bootleg Barbecue Company offer hearty food with a Kentucky flair.

Fun-lovers might want to check out Creeker’s Bar and Grill, a local joint famous for its karaoke. For the sweet tooth, the Sugar and Spice Donut Shop puts a fresh spin on a sugary classic. Much beloved by locals, the restaurant offers a wide variety of options.

The Fern Creek Community Association and Chamber of Commerce is also home to a farmer’s market, bringing farm-fresh food to the community. The farmer’s market runs yearly on every Saturday between the months of May and September. The market is held in the Fern Creek Community Center, which is also host to several other open-to-the-community events throughout the year.

Recreational facilities are abundant in Fern Creek. Fern Creek Park, a 30.4 acre plot of land in the area offers outdoor entertainment. Amenities include picnic tables, copious ball fields, tennis courts, a playground, a walking path, and a hiking trail. 

For those who like a little education with their entertainment, Fern Creek Honey might make a good weekend trip. Pank Mattingly, the owner and chief bee-keeper of Fern Creek Honey, offers visitors a look inside the world of honey. However, when planning a visit, be sure to call ahead.

For the adventurous sort, the area offers an experience rare to most other parts of Louisville – hot air balloon rides. Aero Force Balloons takes its visitors on a scenic tour of Kentucky’s countryside. Tailored more toward those seeking romance, the tour offers champagne and a souvenir map of the trip’s route.

For the most part, Fern Creek is a family-oriented town. Families make up 76.59 percent of the population, according to the U.S. Census. 40.53 percent of households had children under the age of 18.

Properties in Fern Creek are priced at around average levels for non-rental Louisville suburbs. The median household value of a house or condo in Fern Creek was 165,437 dollars in 2009, according to the U.S. Census.

People looking to settle down in Fern Creek will not be disappointed. The town, only a few miles from downtown Louisville, offers all the amenities of the city, but with a small town feel.

 

 

 

GALLOPALOOZA: Everyone gets a hand in on the fun! The City of Prospect participated in the year-long Gallopalooza celebration. Along with other Louisville communities, corporations, and artists, Prospect has created it''s own "Art Horse" to display in the county-wide event. The Galllaopalooza horse was affectionately named after 1974 Derby winner, Cannonade. Local artist Lonnie Walker proposed the idea as a representation of "the people of Prospect." Each of the many hundreds of hands – in a mutlitude of colors – were literally "hand-painted" by men, women, and children who reside here in Prospect. "The addition of the mirror mosaic surrounding the colorful handsprints allows us to enjoy an ever-changing perspective of ourselves and others around us," said the artist Walker. Don''t forget to come by and see this magnificent horse up close!

                               

 

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Louisville is Home to some Terrific Restaurants