Smoketown/Historic Area
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 38° 14.690 W 085° 44.624
16S E 609931 N 4233726
Located on the corner of Broadway (US 150) and Hancock St, Louisville
Waymark Code: WMW8M3
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 07/24/2017
Views: 3
Smoketown
This historically black community began to flourish following end of slavery in 1865, when thousands of African Americans moved to Louisville. Shotgun-type houses on closely spaced streets and alleys allowed both black and white landowners to profit from the dense settlement. Washington Spradling, Jr., a prominent African American, owned vast real estate in area.
Historic Area
Many in Smoketown worked in tobacco warehouses as cutters, processors, and haulers. Community had one of city's first African American public schools, founded 1874. Smoketown is only post-Civil War neighborhood settled mainly by African Americans that remains in city of Louisville.
Presented by Louisville and Jefferson County African American Heritage Committee, Inc.
Marker Name: Smoketown/Historic Area
Marker Location: City
Type of Marker: Other
Marker Number (for official markers): 1985
Group(s) Responsible for placing Marker:
Kentucky Historical Society
Kentucky Department of Highways
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Visit Instructions:
A picture of the site or anything specific to the text on marker.