The West End of Louisville comprises 9 neighborhoods– Algonquin, California, Chickasaw, Park DuValle, Park Hill, Parkland, Portland, Russell, and Shawnee. Each makes up a piece of the whole, bringing unique communities and histories that have shaped Louisville as a city just as much as the city has shaped the West End, and are defined by the resilience and ambition of the residents who call the West End their home.

The historical trauma inflicted upon the West End neighborhoods has led to a disparity between how the West End is seen and what the West End contributes to Louisville. Centuries of setbacks, white flight that led to urban decay, and racially-motivated underdevelopment have categorized the area as a food desert, left roads and infrastructure overlooked and in disrepair, and seen dozens of empty properties sitting in areas prospective renters and home buyers will not consider.

Some people look at the West End and wonder exactly what happened, and why existing residents choose to keep their homes, businesses, and communities instead of uprooting themselves to find a “better area.” The answer to those questions lies in each street, each family, each business, and each empty property that used to be full of life and at the center of a booming business district. The West End was and still is a cultural hub that catered to a thriving population of Louisvillians and immigrants of every color. It has raised several notable names and its history has played a crucial part in Louisville’s evolution. Generations have seen the streets in times of peace and protest, and remain loyal to the neighborhoods they call their home. Learn more about each neighborhood below.