Louisville Legends
One of the great things about commuting by bike is you get a chance to see things you overlook or take for granted while driving. Like a lot of you I live in a city (Louisville, KY.) which has so much to offer if you just slow down and look.
Some
of my bicycle commute routes to and from work take me past some of the most
historical places in Louisville,
KY. One of my Bike To Work
routes through downtown Louisville takes me past
several buildings and structures where Louisville
pays a pictorial homage to some Louisvillians and Kentuckians who have made
contributions to the city, the state, the nation and the world. Some of
these people are widely know while others are lesser known figures to the
masses. This blog will highlight the widely known while hopefully
bringing these lesser known "Louisville Legends" from obscurity.
If
you’ve ever opened a bottle of whiskey or bourbon, you have this Legend to
thank for that. This Louisville pharmaceuticals salesman turned
distiller tried something no one had thought of at that time. Seal whiskey and bourbon in a glass bottle. The brand, Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The year 1870, thus becoming America's first bottled bourbon. The company he founded is now known as Brown - Foreman. His name, George Garvin Brown.
 | |
| George Garvin Brown |
This
Legend is a former Junior Miss America who got her first taste of the news broadcast world at a Louisville,KY television as a weather person. That position did not satisfy that thirst. This former law student at the University of Louisville turned to journalism to quench that thirst for broadcast news. Not finding immediate entry into that field; she became a part of the Nixon White House administration and stayed through Nixon's resignation. Afterwards, she helped the former President write his memoirs. For many years; some thought she was "Deep Throat" the famed informant to Woodward and Bernstein; the former Washington Post reporters who covered Watergate. She went on to
have an amazing career in broadcasting.
Most recently leaving the anchor chair from ABC World News. This former editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper is Diane Sawyer.
 |
| Diane Sawyer |
This
Legend had a huge and successful career in major lead baseball. He was one of the few who befriended the
first African American baseball player to enter the major leagues. In an era when there was huge opposition of Negros to playing major league baseball; this former captain of the then Brooklyn Dodgers refused to sign a petition to boycott if Jackie Robinson joined the team. When Robinson did join the team during a visit to play the Cincinnati Reds, the crowd was vicious to Robinson. During a pre game practice, the abuse was squashed as "The Captain" engaged in conversation with Robinson and placed his arm around his shoulder. This shocked and silence the crowd. Known as a childhood champion marble player, he was given his nickname after a small marble "Pee Wee". Although he was small in statute, he was a GIANT to many for his relationship with Jackie Robinson. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984 as Harold Peter Henry Reese; he is simply known here in Louisville as "Pee Wee".
 |
| Pee Wee Reese |
There are only two words to describe this legend, "The Greatest"
 |
| Muhammad Ali |
This program to honor this distinguished group of individuals was launched in 2002 by the non - profit group Greater Louisville Pride Foundation as a way to instill pride int he community with the initial mural of Ali. However, it was expanded to honor 26 individuals. The previous post and this one, only show those who are a part of the Bike To Work routes I take on a regular bases. For more information about these and more honorees visit: http://louheroes.org/
No comments:
Post a Comment