On my recent visit to Louisville, I stayed in a hotel that was not only convenient for nearly all the attractions on my list, but is a part of Louisville history itself: the legendary Galt House Hotel, right on the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, and now part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
My two-day plans involved walking to five out of six attractions: the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Belle of Louisville riverboat, Muhammad Ali Center, Trolley de ‘Ville tour, and the visitors’ center. This hotel is located only a few blocks away from each destination.
![Galt Hero Shot[1]](https://www.travelgumbo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Galt2520Hero2520Shot255B1255D.jpg "Galt Hero Shot[1]")
The Galt House features 1,310 guest rooms and suites, convention space, meeting rooms, and four restaurants. It’s the largest hotel in Kentucky. Despite its size, the gracious and professional employees made me feel right at home, and navigating the two towers was easy.
In the early 1800s, the original Galt House, owned by Dr. W.C. Galt, was located on Louisville’s waterfront. Dr. W.C. Galt, a noted physician, and botanist of his day, was friends with such distinguished men as John James Audubon, who mentions Dr. Galt in his journals.
In 1835, a 60-room hotel opened as the Galt House Hotel across the street from the residence at the northeast corner of 1st and Main.
During the Civil War, the Galt House was the scene of meetings among Union Generals, including Grant and Sherman; it was also the scene of an unusual murder in 1862, when one Union general killed another in the hotel’s lobby. Charles Dickens was also a guest.
According to the New York Times, on Wednesday, January 11, 1865, the Galt House Hotel started burning and was “entirely in ruins” by 3:30 a.m.
Architect Henry Whitestone designed the second Galt House Hotel at 1st and Main St, a block from the original hotel. It cost $1.5 million (1869 dollars). In the early 20th century, business and culture moved away from the riverfront to the Broadway district. As traffic on 1st and Main dwindled, so did hotel revenue, and the second Galt House Hotel closed in 1919. It was razed in 1921 to make way for the Belknap Hardware building.
By the early 1970s, Louisville’s Waterfront had been abandoned. Local developer Al J. Schneider envisioned a prosperous business district, starting with an expansive convention hotel on the river. Mr. Schneider opened the Galt House Hotel – then only one tower – in 1972.
In 1984, Mr. Al J. Schneider opened the East Tower, giving the hotel its distinctive two-tower structure. The East Tower consists predominantly of suites, providing guests with even more space and comfort.
Twenty years later, the Galt House Hotel replaced a simple walkway between the two towers with the magnificent 3rd Floor Conservatory. The Conservatory features Al J’s Lounge, named for founder Al J. Schneider, and Thelma’s Deli, named for Mr. Schneider’s wife. It also serves as a tribute to naturalist John James Audubon, a friend of Dr. W.C. Galt.
It is easy for me to recommend this hotel in the heart of it all. Rooms are lovely with views of the city and river, and there is a relaxed atmosphere. Plus, location, location, location!
For more information about the hotel: galthouse.com
For more information about Louisville: www.gotolouisville.com
Photos courtesy of Louisville Tourism, The Galt House Hotel and historic sources.
