History

Why It’s Called the Highlands
The Highlands span a roughly three-mile corridor in Louisville, beginning at Baxter Avenue and Lexington Road and extending south along Bardstown Road to Taylorsville Road. The area earned its name from its elevated position—approximately 60 feet above the floodplain. During the Ohio River Flood of 1937, this higher ground provided refuge for thousands, reinforcing the identity and significance of the “Highlands.”

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Early History
Settlement began around 1814, when William Preston established the Briar Patch plantation on land inherited from his father. Bardstown Road soon became a critical route for growth. Built as a turnpike in 1819, it connected Louisville to Bardstown and operated as a toll road maintained through gatehouses that gradually moved south as development expanded. The City of Louisville acquired the turnpike in 1901, accelerating urban growth.

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Before the American Civil War, development remained limited. Early residents included many families of English descent, followed by a strong German immigrant presence that earned the area the nickname “New Hamburg.”

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The Streetcar Era
From 1870 to 1920, the Highlands developed into a network of connected neighborhoods supported by streetcar lines. Initially horse-drawn, the streetcars expanded southward as demand increased. Turnaround points, including the well-known Douglass Loop, marked the system’s growth. By the 1930s, most of the area had been developed. Streetcar service ended on Kentucky Derby Day in 1947, when buses replaced the line.

One enduring landmark, Jack Fry’s, opened in 1933 and remains a cornerstone of the neighborhood’s dining scene.

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Notable Buildings
Commercial development accelerated in the late 1920s, particularly at Bardstown Road and Eastern Parkway. The Schuster Building (1927) introduced a vibrant mix of uses, including retail shops, offices, and the Uptown Theater, a popular neighborhood cinema. Across the street, a 1928 commercial structure housed a cleaners and automobile dealership, reflecting the area’s shift toward modern commerce.

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Movie Theaters and Entertainment
For decades, single-screen theaters lined Bardstown Road, serving as cultural anchors. While most have closed or been redeveloped, their legacy remains part of the Highlands’ identity. The Baxter Avenue Theatres, located in Mid-City Mall, continued this tradition until their closure on December 31, 2025.

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Mid-City Mall
Opened in 1962, Mid-City Mall represented one of the area’s largest commercial developments. Built on the former site of the German Protestant Orphans’ Home (established in 1902), the mall introduced a mix of retail, entertainment, and community spaces. Today, it is in development to become the Mid-City Market.

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A History of the Highland Commerce Guild

The Highland Commerce Guild was officially incorporated in 1977 as a non-profit 501(c)(6) business league in Louisville, Kentucky. Its founding purpose aligned with the typical mission of a business association: to promote, support, and advocate for the local businesses in the Highlands community. It was a group of concerned business owners that led the charge to incorporate during a period of urban transition and decay. There was a strong realization of the need to stabilize and revitalize Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue - as the commercial corridor.

Throughout the 1980s, the Guild’s effort helped trigger a positive commercial rebound. This era saw the area transform into “Restaurant Row,” known for its high density of independent shops, bars, and dining establishments. The Guild has also maintained a close relationship with Brightside, the Ambassador’s Program, and LMPD – to ensure a clean and safe neighborhood. The Guild strives to add color and vitality to the community by promoting outdoor mural projects, photography contests, and maintaining the street pole banner program.

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Connected Neighborhoods
Nine neighborhood associations line the Bardstown Road corridor, contributing to the Highlands’ historic character and walkability. These include Phoenix Hill, Irish Hill, Original Highlands, Cherokee Triangle, Tyler Park, Deer Park, Bonnycastle, Highlands-Douglass, and Belknap. Many homes date back more than a century, reinforcing the area’s architectural and cultural heritage.

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A Vibrant, Walkable District
Today, the Highlands stands as one of Louisville’s most dynamic districts. With more than 100 dining and nightlife destinations—often referred to as “Restaurant Row”—alongside independent shops, galleries, and services, the area offers a highly walkable experience. Schools, places of worship, and local businesses support a population of more than 33,000 residents. This diversity continues to shape the Highlands as a welcoming destination for both locals and visitors.

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Compiled from historical research by Nick Morris and Tom Owen.