1986 Map of Louisville

About this map

The Ohio River serves as the central artery for this mid-1980s landscape, dividing the urban expanse of Louisville from its Indiana neighbors, Jeffersonville and New Albany. The city's growth is marked by the beltway of I-264 and the emerging path of I-265, while established landmarks like Cave Hill Cem and the Univ of Louisville anchor the historic core. Beyond the suburban developments of St Matthews and Jeffersontown, the terrain shifts toward the distinct topography of The Knobs and Muldraugh Hill. To the south, the massive Fort Knox Military Reservation dominates the landscape, while to the east, the map traces the rural character of Shelby County and Henry County. This survey documents a critical period of infrastructure expansion, showing the transition from a river-and-rail economy defined by the L & N RR to a modern interstate hub centered on Standiford Field.