In South Louisville, Kenwood Dr. ends at New Cut Rd. Straight ahead is the entrance to one of Louisville's finest public spaces, Iroquois Park. Look left at that intersection though and you'll see a big, white, largely windowless building sitting vacant and in need of some TLC. It's not much to look at now, but believe it or not, for decades, it was a major Louisville hot spot. Built in 1902 by the Senning family,
Senning's Park was a very popular restaurant, beer garden, and venue for indoor and outdoor functions. It's been said that six Kentucky governors accepted their nominations there. It was a sizable property - many of the businesses along that corner today actually sit on parcels of the original tract - and in fact, in 1920, Louisville's first zoo opened on its grounds. In 1939, after almost 40 years in the business, the Senning family sold the property, the zoo was closed and repurposed, and it was renamed
Colonial Gardens, what most Louisvillians still call it today. From there, as the decades ticked away, ownership, names, functions, even the building itself changed, but it always provided a good time to patrons. In the '40s, it was big bands and dancing; in the '50s, hip teens; in the '60s and '70s, nightclub-style lounge entertainment. A cowboy honky-tonk was even tried once. It always adapted to the times and lasted all the way up 'til 2003 when it closed for good. The main building is deteriorating now and its spacious grounds have been eaten up by development and parking, but thankfully, there is an effort underway to save it and give it new life. Check out this story...
http://www.leoweekly.com/news/colonial-gardens-redux
UPDATE 8/23/15
Senning's Park, 1902 - 1939...
Colonial Gardens and property then...
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| Note: Kenwood Dr. is the road running along the shorter side of the building. |
Colonial Gardens and property now...
thank you for the history wow it's awesome keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteThanks Hank. I'll try to keep up the good work :)
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