[PHOTOS] Vintage Louisville: A Look Back At Its People And Development

Photo addicts, take note. Vintage photographs hold stories from the past that we may never know fully, but seeing them gives us a unique window into how people lived, worked, dressed, and played in the "before" times. Look at the Louisville area when milk trucks and jug bands were still a thing.

A journey through these photos, which span the late 1800s through the latter 20th century, is a trip back to years we know, historically, were years of struggle and turmoil, but through it all, the people of Louisville found ways to thrive. If you look closely as you peruse the gallery, you'll see some famous faces of Kentucky (Pee Wee Reese and some guy in a weird, white suit and ribbon tie) and some who stopped here along the way to other significant events in their careers (ahem, Alice Cooper and Satchel Paige). It all adds to the mystique and specialness of this "little" river town we call home.

If you have old photos that you wish to add to the slideshow, you know we're always welcoming submissions. Send any cool vintage looks at Louisville's past to [email protected].

***LEO is sharing purely for entertainment and educational purposes. The photos are from a local website, Historical Louisville, a collection of another vintage photo enthusiast who asked for no particular citation. Many of the photos can also be found in the University of Louisville Digital Archives.

This slideshow has been updated. 

Photos by Historic Louisville https://historiclouisville.weebly.com
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Vogue Theater, 3727 Lexington Road. Opened in 1939, closed in 1998.


Vogue Theater, 3727 Lexington Road. Opened in 1939, closed in 1998.

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Stouffer's Inn, 2nd and Broadway, Later a Holiday Inn. Previous location of St. Xavier H. S.


Stouffer's Inn, 2nd and Broadway, Later a Holiday Inn. Previous location of St. Xavier H. S.

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The Isadora Duncan dancers perform in Louisville. Lisa, Anna, Erica, Theresa, Irma, Margot. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

The Isadora Duncan dancers perform in Louisville. Lisa, Anna, Erica, Theresa, Irma, Margot. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Satchel Paige and Dizzy Dean at Parkway Field. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Satchel Paige and Dizzy Dean at Parkway Field. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Staff of the Western Colored Branch Library - Thomas F. Blue, librarian, with assistant Elizabeth Finney, and Rachael Harrison. established - 1908. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Staff of the Western Colored Branch Library - Thomas F. Blue, librarian, with assistant Elizabeth Finney, and Rachael Harrison. established - 1908. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Old Fairgrounds in West Louisville

Old Fairgrounds in West Louisville

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Robert Gast and Abram Bowman - Bowman-Gast Aero Co. 1920. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Robert Gast and Abram Bowman - Bowman-Gast Aero Co. 1920. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Lincoln Income Bldg. (Kaden Tower) under construction and Golden Maxim Farm at the Watterson and Breckinridge Lane.

Lincoln Income Bldg. (Kaden Tower) under construction and Golden Maxim Farm at the Watterson and Breckinridge Lane.

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K&I bridge construction workers. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

K&I bridge construction workers. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Fanelli's Ice Cream, 4119 Bardstown Rd. in Buechel, opened in 1912 closed and demolished after a fire in 1983.

Fanelli's Ice Cream, 4119 Bardstown Rd. in Buechel, opened in 1912 closed and demolished after a fire in 1983.

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Flight Nurse wearing ANC coverall, Bowman field, 1943. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Flight Nurse wearing ANC coverall, Bowman field, 1943. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Colonel Sanders and Alice Cooper at Claudia Sanders Restaurant in Shelby county, Maybe early '70s. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Colonel Sanders and Alice Cooper at Claudia Sanders Restaurant in Shelby county, Maybe early '70s. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Christmas Parade on 4th Street in Louisville,Ky. 1939. University of Louisville Photographic Archives
Not at all terrifying.

Christmas Parade on 4th Street in Louisville,Ky. 1939. University of Louisville Photographic Archives


Not at all terrifying.
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ca. 1940 - Air Devils Inn on Taylorsville Rd across from Bowman Field

ca. 1940 - Air Devils Inn on Taylorsville Rd across from Bowman Field

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ca. 1950 - Boys play pinball machines and pool at the Cabbage Patch Settlement House game room. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

ca. 1950 - Boys play pinball machines and pool at the Cabbage Patch Settlement House game room. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Ad for radio broadcast of Dempsy - Sharkey fight in 1927. Strand theater was on Chestnut between 3rd and 4th, south side. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Ad for radio broadcast of Dempsy - Sharkey fight in 1927. Strand theater was on Chestnut between 3rd and 4th, south side. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Bleiweiss Austin auto in front of 2116 Bardstown Road Pharmacy, (Douglas Blvd area) 1930. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Bleiweiss Austin auto in front of 2116 Bardstown Road Pharmacy, (Douglas Blvd area) 1930. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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Actors in front of new home (back then) at the old Central Station at 7th and River, 1969. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

Actors in front of new home (back then) at the old Central Station at 7th and River, 1969. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1977, October - Mitch McConnell at Burger Queen.

1977, October - Mitch McConnell at Burger Queen.

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A Youthful Thomas Edison. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

A Youthful Thomas Edison. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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