Kentucky 2026 Trip Report (the Last Couple Days)

Written by ceddammit

A high school French teacher once told me that, to speak French properly, you only have to know the first two syllables of what you’re trying to say. After that, you can just vomit. It turns out that a similar approach applies to the pronunciation of Louisville. Many people are uncertain whether it’s Lou-EE-ville or Lou-UH-ville. According to the guide on the walking tour I went on, it’s best if you use as few vowel sounds as possible, and it should ideally sound like you’re severely drunk. Something like LUH-uh-vluh.

Having spent some time in Louisville on business trips, I knew there was some cool architecture scattered throughout the city. So, I selected a parking garage at the edge of downtown, then hit the streets on foot. Have some architecture…

Weissinger-Gaulbert buidling
Weissinger-Gaulbert buidling
Right across the street from the Weissinger-Gaulbert buidling is this…
I’m not sure what this building originally was, but it currently is home to the Frances Parker School of Louisville.
Upper rear corner of Frances Parker School
Frances Parker School with another building attempting to lean in for a photobomb

I decided to drive to the top level of the parking garage to attempt more pictures of the Frances Parker School and the photobomb building. But when I reached the top level of the garage, I lost my shit. Why? Because I spotted this hulking mass of Art Deco…

I spotted this building from a parking garage…
…then re-located to a closer parking garage before heading out on foot again.
Yup, 1930. Right smack in the middle of the Art Deco era.
I quickly recognized this as an old phone company building. It didn’t take long to confirm via the Web that this was indeed the Southern Bell Telephone Building.
From a distance, there appear to be several windows missing, making it appear the building has been abandoned.
In reality, these windows have been replaced with louvers, and this building is still very much in use.
These louvers are / were likely part of a sizeable cooling system serving the mass of telephonic equipment this building was designed to house.
External light fixture on the Southern Bell Telephone Building
Southern Bell Telephone Building in Louisville, Kentucky (photographed May 8, 2026)

Upon my return to the second parking structure, I noticed this pair of interesting buildings…

Last, but definitely not least, I encountered the old Palace Theatre. Take in the beauty!

Palace Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky (photographed May 8, 2026)

Last Day – The Voyage Home:

The final day of the trip was devoted to the drive back from Kentucky to North Carolina. I stopped to get a few quick pics at the Bean Station overlook in Tennessee:

That’s all for Kentucky! It’s looking like my next trip will either be West Virginia or Colorado. Before that, I should be updating you on my progress with the Levodopa pump and its accessories. Happy summer, folks!

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