Louisville Skyline
Lets explore a well-know, yet hidden historical landmark in Butchertown, the Paget House. Its unique position on the eastern edge of the Waterfront park and its unique history make it an interesting place to see. It is one of the oldest houses in Louisville and has survived several severe floods. This Georgian style two-story brick house was thought to have been built around 1800, and there is a record of its purchase in 1838 by Mrs. Margaret Wright Paget when it was already considered old. She had the front of the house facing the river built onto the original section and added the ornate balcony.
So why is it important? Well, the Paget House is all that is left of the Point neighborhood which used to be , so called for its geographic location on a section of land cut off from mainland Louisville by the original path of Beargrass Creek, which emptied at 3rd Street downtown, cutting a section of land of in a “point”. The name stuck even after the creek was rerouted, but unfortunately the flooding in 1937 and 1945 resulted in the widespread destruction of the Point neighborhood and everything but the Paget House and the Heigold House were eventually demolished.
Current condition of the Paget House
Paget House in the 1970's
Its position facing the Ohio River and the former Municipal Boat Harbor would make for a wonderful visitors center or museum. It is to be preserved and incorporated into a downtown development that unfortunately has hit funding difficulties and has not been proceeding.
