Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 59

Paul, who in turn sold it to Richard Waters of Hermitage Farm in 1883. It remained in the Waters
family until 1961 when the site was purchased by Jefferson County and the Commonwealth of
Kentucky. Following extensive restoration, the historic house was opened to the public in 1964.
The house is now open for public tours, meetings and special events.
Portland Wharf Park
Portland Wharf Park is located on a portion of the former town of Portland located west
of Louisville on the Ohio River. At the turn of the 19th century, Portland Wharf served those
who had to portage their goods around the Falls of the Ohio. By the mid-19th century, the
addition of the Portland-Louisville canal,
containing one of the nation’s first three
tiered river locks, linked the Portland Wharf
to Louisville. The canal reduced the time and
effort required to get around the falls
thereby improving the volume of river traffic.
As a result, the Wharf area expanded rapidly
into a bustling riverside town with multi-story
hotels, homes, and related businesses serving
maritime commerce. The town was
frequently flooded, however, and the 1937
flood decimated most of the town.
Subsequent construction of the floodwall severed the remains of the most severely impacted
part of Portland from the rest of the town. Approximately 38 acres of the former wharf and
town are now part of the Portland Wharf Park. LMPRD works with the Portland Museum, the
University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Archeological Survey to protect and interpret the rich
maritime history of the former town.
These and other historic sites are part of an important collection of resources that
provide opportunities for education, recreation, and attract visitors both from within Louisville
and outside the city helping to generate tourism dollars.
Other traces of Louisville’s history which are still visible on the land include historic
buildings, former roads and trails, old stone fences, cemeteries, and osage orange fencerows.
Much of the community’s cultural heritage is revealed by these historic landscape features on
both public parkland and private land and should be considered a valuable resource for
conservation within Louisville’s parks and open space system.
C.5 Agricultural Lands
Since the beginning of European settlement, agriculture has been an important part of
Louisville’s heritage. The earliest settlers relied on subsistence agriculture. As the population
increased, and the Ohio River became an important transportation corridor, large areas were
52
III. CONTEXT AND COMMUNITY INVENTORY | October 2016 Update