The Jefferson County Courthouse was constructed in 1837. It uses a Greek Revival Style of architecture designed by Gideon Shryock. First used by the city and county in 1842, it was finally completed by Albert Fink and Charles Stancliff in 1860.

It served its purpose as it briefly housed legislature during the Civil War. As a venue for the speech of seven United States Presidents, it was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Louisville, named after Louis XVI, was founded in 1778 and was used as a military outpost. It was further divided into the counties of Jefferson, Lincoln, and Fayette. The county of Jefferson was named after Governor Thomas Jefferson, the signer of Louisville’s first town charter.