Last updated: May 24, 2024
Place
Baxter Square
Olmsted Archives, Job #01261, Louisville, KY
Quick Facts
Louisville, Kentucky’s first public park, Baxter Square, was created in 1880, one year before Frederick Law Olmsted would submit his plans for Louisville Parks and Parkways. The land was acquired by and named for John G. Baxter, Louisville’s mayor at the time. In 1887, a movement was started by prominent men of the area to develop three large suburban parks for Louisville.
Olmsted was commissioned to design Baxter Square in 1891 though plans weren’t completed until 1901, well after Olmsted’s retirement. Olmsted Brothers took over at Baxter Square and proposed a planting plan to the city. Today, Baxter Square is still surrounded by its original stone wall and contains the original park shelter and mature vegetation. Looking at other Louisville parks, Baxter Square is a bit more formal, with simple, curved, shaded walkways with benches going around the perimeter.
Source: "Baxter Square," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resouces, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr
Olmsted was commissioned to design Baxter Square in 1891 though plans weren’t completed until 1901, well after Olmsted’s retirement. Olmsted Brothers took over at Baxter Square and proposed a planting plan to the city. Today, Baxter Square is still surrounded by its original stone wall and contains the original park shelter and mature vegetation. Looking at other Louisville parks, Baxter Square is a bit more formal, with simple, curved, shaded walkways with benches going around the perimeter.
Source: "Baxter Square," The Cultural Landscape Foundation
For more information and primary resouces, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online
Olmsted Archives on Flickr