Wrecking Ball Watch: Lawton Court, Louisville, Kentucky

I’ve been avoiding writing this post since last Wednesday. Something like a mental version of heartburn has alternately left me sputtering with rage and then sinking into a dismal pothole of gloom. The Louisville Metro Landmarks Commission, in a 6 to 4 vote, decided to not landmark the historic shotgun pedestrian court of Lawton Court. Although the majority of the commissioners present at the meeting voted FOR the landmark application, the ordinance states that seven commissioners have to vote yes. Only 10 of the 13 commissioners attended the meeting.

Lawton Court, Louisville, Kentucky.

There is absolutely nothing polite I can share about how I feel about this shortsighted and asinine decision. I am glad that six members recognized the value of Lawton Court, both in terms of the development of the neighborhood, the type of houses, and the important story it tells about Louisville residents. The men and women who lived at Lawton Court got to enjoy a unique and rare place – the only one of its kind in Louisville.*

But despite their votes, the neighborhood will cease to exist. Another layer of history will be paved over in the name of economic development and – dare I say – the almighty dollar. It’s the latter that usually wins when the interests of folks on the lower end of the socioeconomic ladder are pitted against those who traditionally get to tell their version of history, and live comfortably in the process.

Some of the shotgun houses of Lawton Court.

Lawton Court may not be your idea of historic. You may think the houses are run down, and that some of the “social ills” that have been cited as occurring in the neighborhood means that the entire court should be demolished.

While you are entitled to your opinion, part of making the world a better place means doing your part to improve the community in which you live, and sometimes that can be uncomfortable. Realizing the fullness of history, with its ugliness, unfairness, and tragedy, is part of what improves a community and a people, in addition to working to change outdated conventions/beliefs/systems. The historic buildings around us all help tell a thousand different stories – and the buildings we choose to honor and preserve tell the story of what we think people should save and appreciate.

I am so disappointed in Louisville.

*Yes, I know there are other pedestrian courts in Louisville, but none built with shotgun houses or explicitly for working class families.