By: Holly Freeland
Holly@louisville.com
Living in Louisville, you might have heard about Iroquois Amphitheater, or you might know that Pleasure Ridge Park is the largest 
high school in suburban Louisville. You might even remember that Valley Sports won the Little League World Series in 2002. But, it’s the things you don’t know about Southwest Jefferson County (SWJC) that might surprise you the most. The first surprise to most people? It actually IS in Louisville!
While most people who visit or are new to Louisville are familiar with St. Matthews, the Bardstown Road area or the east end, it’s the Southwest part of Jefferson County that Charles Miller, 28thDistrict State Representative, says is “Louisville’s best kept secret.”
A principal at PRP high school for 25 years and a football coach and biology teacher there before that, Mr. Miller takes enormous pride in the district he represents. Involved in politics as well as education, Miller is more than excited to showcase all the area has to offer. From a historical perspective of Farnsley Moremen & Kaufman Houses to a new masterplan that includes $7 million in park upgrades and a new Jewish Medical Center, Southwest Jefferson County offers visitors much more than what meets the eye.
The first stop in SWJC is the Farnsley Moremen House/Landing. Miller says “You should sp/files/storyimages/an afternoon gazing at the Ohio River from the Farnsley Moremen Landing. Take a picnic lunch in the spring or summer or coffee and hot chocolate in the winter. The view is just spectacular.” Also for those wanting to sp/files/storyimages/the day outside, he says “Go to the hiking trails at Iroquois Park. At the very top is an amazing view, you won’t believe! You can see the entire city and downtown from the overlook.” Another popular spot is the Iroquois Amphitheatre, which just received $8 million of renovations. They have many productions put on by Broadway geared towards both children and adults.
Following an afternoon of gazing and hiking, Miller has some suggestions for fueling your appetite. Louisville regulars El Nopal & Beef O Brady’s have locations in SWJC, but it’s a Louisville tradition, Mike Linigs, that makes people in this area proud. “It is the best fish sandwich you can get” according to Miller. Also calling SWJC home is Bakes BBQ, a Best of Louisville award winner. For the best cup of coffee, he says to stop by Sister Bean’s Coffee Shop and try a latte and cinnamon chip biscotti.
If you need to satisfy a shopping fix, there’s always Dixie Manor Shopping Center, Marshall’s or Swag’s for running or athletic shoes, which was recently recognized as one of The 50 Best Running Stores in Americaby two leading trade and consumer publications.
The future of SWJC is as bright as any other area in town. Along with the completion of improvements along the Riverside Farnsley
Moremen Landing, there is also the ongoing development of Riverview Park. New to the park will be waterworks for children, soccer fields, bicycle paths and hiking trails. The renovation of the Adelotte house into a restaurant or bed and breakfast also has residents excited about what’s to come. New upscale subdivisions like the Estates of St. Anthony will bring many new residents to the Southend, and the newly opened Jewish Southwest Medical Center will provide the residents here with immediate and better healthcare.
A resident of SWJC for 43 years, Charles Miller boasts with pride and excitement for his district. “My wife and I have raised three children in this community. They have chosen to stay in this part of town as well, which means I have three grandkids here too. The hardworking people of Southwest Jefferson County make me proud to be a resident of this area. Although I’m not originally from here, it is definitely home to me now.”
So pack a lunch and hiking boots, bring your family and a need for new tennis shoes and head to Southwest Jefferson Countyfor all it has to offer!
