Fort Nelson

Fort Nelson Park is a small urban park in downtown Louisville situated between Main Street and the Ohio River. A granite monument marks the location of the former military fortification that once stood at this site.

The fortification was built in 1781 by troops under George Rogers Clark and served as a critical defense point during the Revolutionary War. It protected the settlement against threats from Native Americans and British forces in the region.

The site is named after Thomas Nelson Jr., a Virginia governor from when Kentucky was still part of that state. It reflects the early patterns of American settlement in this river region.

The park is compact and easy to walk through, with interpretive signs and benches for visitors to rest. It sits in an active commercial area surrounded by office buildings, making it easy to combine a visit with other downtown exploration.

The site originally served as Louisville's first courthouse and jail before dedicated municipal buildings were constructed. This early dual role reveals how central the fort was to the city's founding period.

GPS coordinates: 38.25744,-85.76161

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:06