Last updated on .
Louisville, Kentucky, boasts the largest collection of Victorian homes in the United States, and the best place to see them is at St. James Court and Belgravia Court. My friend Tyra once lived in the area, and when we visited her in Louisville, she took Marisol and me to see it.
St. James Court
St. James Court was developed in the late 1880s as a then-modern urban planning initiative to have houses face a green pedestrian mall rather than a street. There are several beautiful Victorian mansions lining the street, many of them restored while others are works in progress.
Some of these homes have been turned into bed and breakfasts while others have been split up into apartments or condos. You can spend a nice half hour strolling down the street enjoying the homes.
In the center of the street is a fountain and a sculpture of a lamplighter.
Important Mansions
There are two important mansions on the street. First is the Pink Palace, at the corner of St. James and Belgravia Courts. It was built in 1891 as a gentleman’s club and casino for residents of the court.
On the northern end of the street is the Conrad-Caldwell House, built in 1893 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. In 1947, the local Presbyterian church purchased the mansion and turned it into a retirement home. It has been a museum since 1987. Adult admission is US$15 for self-guided tours and US$20 for guided tours (as of October 2023). Tours run Thursday through Sunday. Check the official website for tour times.
Belgravia Court
Belgravia Court, which intersects the southern end of St. James Court, has no street access and contains homes inspired by Belgravia in London. We walked down Belgravia Court after admiring the homes on St. James.
St. James Court Art Show
The St. James Court Art Show is held annually on the first weekend of October. Booths featuring works of art by hundreds of artists as well as food stands line the street. Admission is free.
Central Park
Central Park lies at the northern end of the court. It’s a 17 acre public park that opened in 1872. It’s famous for holding the annual Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, presenting free performances every summer. The first Shakespeare play to be performed in the park was As You Like It in 1895.
