The Brown Hotel
History
The Brown Hotel has been a beloved Louisville landmark since it opened in 1923. The vision of businessman and philanthropist J. Graham Brown, it was designed by architect Preston J. Bradshaw and quickly became one of the city’s favorite social gathering spots. In 1937, Louisville suffered a devastating flood. The Ohio River rose so high, more than one thousand displaced city residents were forced to take refuge in the hotel and ended up staying ten days. Future Hollywood star Victor Mature was employed as an elevator operator and the comedy team of Rowan and Martin were a popular act in the hotel’s Bluegrass Room. Sadly, the hotel fell upon hard times shortly after J. Graham Brown’s death. It ceased to operate as a hotel and served as the home of the Board of Education in the 1970s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was fully renovated and reopened in the early 1980s. In 2001, native son and boxing legend Muhammad Ali dedicated a luxurious suite that proudly bears his name and contains prized memorabilia.
