[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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1927 - Children playing at Ormsby Village.
Looks totally safe.

1927 - Children playing at Ormsby Village.


Looks totally safe.
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1928 - Babe Ruth, Parkway Field. Ralston Purina silos in background were demolished in 2014. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1928 - Babe Ruth, Parkway Field. Ralston Purina silos in background were demolished in 2014. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1926 - Louisville Turners. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1926 - Louisville Turners. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1925, political rally for mayor at The Armory 6th and Walnut. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1925, political rally for mayor at The Armory 6th and Walnut. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1926 - 2227 Bardstown Rd. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1926 - 2227 Bardstown Rd. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1921 - 1534 Washington Street, Butchertown. Students and teachers of the Benjamin Banneker School. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1921 - 1534 Washington Street, Butchertown. Students and teachers of the Benjamin Banneker School. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1921 - Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 109 E. Broadway. Now Jefferson Community College. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1921 - Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 109 E. Broadway. Now Jefferson Community College. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1920s - Simmons University faculty and students. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1920s - Simmons University faculty and students. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1920s - Ehrlers Milk wagon.

1920s - Ehrlers Milk wagon.

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1920s - Boys Jug Band. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1920s - Boys Jug Band. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1920, Portland elem, fingernail inspection, hygiene class. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1920, Portland elem, fingernail inspection, hygiene class. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1920 - Red Cross Hospital, South Shelby St. 1899 to 1975. Not affiliated with The Red Cross. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1920 - Red Cross Hospital, South Shelby St. 1899 to 1975. Not affiliated with The Red Cross. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1920 - 7 young men build Prentice School fence, 316 W. Chestnut Street. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1920 - 7 young men build Prentice School fence, 316 W. Chestnut Street. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1920 - Adult night school at Central Colored School, 908 Magazine Street. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1920 - Adult night school at Central Colored School, 908 Magazine Street. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1910 - Music man somewhere in Louisville.

1910 - Music man somewhere in Louisville.

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1907 - Louisville Zither Club. Is a German thing. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1907 - Louisville Zither Club. Is a German thing. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1902 – Louisville’s first kindergarten, Neighborhood House, in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1902 – Louisville’s first kindergarten, Neighborhood House, in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1895 - Big Rock, Cherokee Park. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1895 - Big Rock, Cherokee Park. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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1891 - Under the Big 4 Bridge access trestle. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

1891 - Under the Big 4 Bridge access trestle. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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44th and Broadway, 1960s. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

44th and Broadway, 1960s. University of Louisville Photographic Archives

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