Louisville, Kentucky, is home to numerous historic neighborhoods, many of which have been established for over a century. Like many older American cities, these neighborhoods are well-defined and deeply rooted in the city’s history. The earliest neighborhoods, such as Downtown and Portland (originally a separate settlement), developed along the river, which was once the primary hub for commerce and transportation. As Louisville grew, new areas like Butchertown, Phoenix Hill, Russell, Shelby Park, and Smoketown emerged to support the city’s expanding population with housing and employment opportunities.

The introduction of streetcars facilitated the development of suburban neighborhoods farther from the city center, such as Beechmont, Belknap, Old Louisville, Shawnee, and the Highlands. In the early 20th century, the interurban rail line spurred growth in eastern communities like Anchorage and Glenview, attracting wealthy residents who began making these areas their year-round homes. Additionally, some of Louisville’s most affluent citizens settled in grand estates along Alta Vista Road, located in what is now the Cherokee-Seneca neighborhood.