[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
Scroll down to view images
Page 2 of 5
1977 Derby Clock when Downtown.

1977 Derby Clock when Downtown.

21 of 87
1960 Vernon Lanes - 1575 Story Avenue. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1960 Vernon Lanes - 1575 Story Avenue. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

22 of 87
'50s wedding at St Peter Claver Catholic Church, 524 Lampton St. University of Louisville Photographic Archives</h3

'50s wedding at St Peter Claver Catholic Church, 524 Lampton St. University of Louisville Photographic Archives
23 of 87

1953 - Pryors on Shelbyville Rd. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1953 - Pryors on Shelbyville Rd. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

24 of 87
1950 - Story hour at the Western Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1950 - Story hour at the Western Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

25 of 87
1944 - Central H.S. Dance. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1944 - Central H.S. Dance. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

26 of 87
1943-44 - Bowman Field wedding. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1943-44 - Bowman Field wedding. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

27 of 87
1944 - 4th St. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1944 - 4th St. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

28 of 87
1940s - Picnic for 'colored' Dearing Printing employees at Chickasaw Park in the West End. The white employees picnic was at Fontaine Ferry Park. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1940s - Picnic for 'colored' Dearing Printing employees at Chickasaw Park in the West End. The white employees picnic was at Fontaine Ferry Park. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

29 of 87
1940s - Lexington Rd approaching Frankfort Ave.

1940s - Lexington Rd approaching Frankfort Ave.

30 of 87
1939, Pee Wee Reese, first year with Louisville Colonels. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1939, Pee Wee Reese, first year with Louisville Colonels. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

31 of 87
1940s - 4th & Broadway, looking south. Muslim women in religious dress. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1940s - 4th & Broadway, looking south. Muslim women in religious dress. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

32 of 87
1936 - Steiden Sore at Douglas Loop. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1936 - Steiden Sore at Douglas Loop. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

33 of 87
1937 - L & N train crosses Broadway at overpass just west of Barret Ave looking east.

1937 - L & N train crosses Broadway at overpass just west of Barret Ave looking east.

34 of 87
1931 - Pee-Wee Reese, 13 (seated, front/right) is the Bat Boy for the New Covenant Presbyterian Church team, 37th & Broadway. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1931 - Pee-Wee Reese, 13 (seated, front/right) is the Bat Boy for the New Covenant Presbyterian Church team, 37th & Broadway. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

35 of 87
1932 - Jack Teigh (2nd from left) Joe McCarthy, Babe Ruth, and Earl Combs at Parkway Field. Facebook

1932 - Jack Teigh (2nd from left) Joe McCarthy, Babe Ruth, and Earl Combs at Parkway Field. Facebook

36 of 87
1930 - Whistler's Jug Band. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1930 - Whistler's Jug Band. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

37 of 87
1930s, Greyhound Bus Station 5th and Broadway. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1930s, Greyhound Bus Station 5th and Broadway. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

38 of 87
1929 - Jockeys Churchill Downs. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1929 - Jockeys Churchill Downs. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

39 of 87
1929 - Northeast corner of 28th and Dumesnil. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1929 - Northeast corner of 28th and Dumesnil. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

40 of 87
Page 2 of 5