Seneca Gardens, Kentucky: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 38°13′38″N 85°40′38″W / 38.22722°N 85.67722°W / 38.22722; -85.67722
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Seneca Gardens, Kentucky
|official_name = Seneca Gardens, Kentucky
|settlement_type = [[list of Ky cities|City]]
|settlement_type = [[list of cities in Kentucky|City]]
|nickname =
|nickname =
|motto =
|motto =
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<!-- Maps -->
<!-- Maps -->
||pushpin_map =Kentucky
|pushpin_map = Kentucky#USA
|pushpin_label_position =left <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_label = Seneca Gardens
|pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Kentucky
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Kentucky
|pushpin_mapsize =
|pushpin_mapsize =
|image_map = |mapsize =
|image_map = File:Jefferson County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Seneca Gardens Highlighted 2169384.svg
|map_caption =
|mapsize =
|map_caption = Location of Seneca Gardens in Jefferson County, Kentucky
|image_map1 =
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|mapsize1 =
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<!-- Location -->
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
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|leader_name1 =
|leader_name1 =
|established_title = Incorporated
|established_title = Incorporated
|established_date = 1941<ref name=sos>Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Seneca Gardens, Kentucky". Accessed 26 Aug 2013.</ref>
|established_date = 1941<ref name=sos>Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Seneca Gardens, Kentucky". Accessed 26 August 2013.</ref>

<!-- Area -->
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}</ref>
|area_footnotes =
|area_magnitude =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 0.4
|area_total_sq_mi = 0.15
|area_land_km2 = 0.4
|area_land_sq_mi = 0.15
|area_water_km2 = 0.0
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi = 0.2
|area_land_sq_mi = 0.2
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.0


<!-- Population -->
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[United States Census, 2000|2000]]
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 699
|population_total = 674
⚫
|population_density_sq_mi = 4405.23
⚫
|population_density_km2 = 1654.9
⚫
|population_density_sq_mi = 4286.1


<!-- General information -->
<!-- General information -->
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|timezone_DST = EDT
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m = 160
|elevation_ft = 548
|coordinates = {{coord|38|13|38|N|85|40|38|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_ft = 525
|coordinates_display = inline,title
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]
|coordinates_type = region:US_type:city
|postal_code = 40205
|latd = 38 |latm = 13 |lats = 35 |latNS = N
|longd = 85 |longm = 40 |longs = 41 |longEW = W

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code =
|area_code =
|area_code =
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 21-69384
|blank_info = 21-69384
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 0503169
|blank1_info = 2405445<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405445}}</ref>
|website = {{URL|www.cityofsenecagardens.com}}
|website = {{URL|www.cityofsenecagardens.com}}
|footnotes =
|footnotes =
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
|population_est =
|area_total_km2 = 0.40
|area_land_km2 = 0.40
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
⚫
|population_density_km2 = 1699.29
}}
}}
'''Seneca Gardens''' is a [[list of Ky cities|6th-class city]] in [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], [[Kentucky]], [[United States]], and a part of the [[Louisville Metro]] government.<ref name=sos/> With the single exception of the [[Keneseth Israel Synagogue]], all buildings within city limits are residential.<ref name=sengar/> The population was 699 during the year [[2000 U.S. Census]].
'''Seneca Gardens''' is a [[list of cities in Kentucky|home rule-class city]] in [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], [[Kentucky]], United States, and a part of the [[Louisville Metro]] government.<ref name=sos/> With the single exception of the [[Keneseth Israel Synagogue]], all buildings within city limits are residential.<ref name=sengar/> The population was 696 as of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US2169384| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Seneca Gardens city, Kentucky| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=June 21, 2018| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213110837/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US2169384| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
{{See also|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{See also|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}


The site of the present city was originally part of [[Farmington (Louisville, Kentucky)|Farmington]], the 1810 estate of the Hon.&thinsp;[[John Speed (Kentucky)|John Speed]] and his second wife [[Lucy Gilmer Fry]]. [[Abraham Lincoln]] was a friend of the judge's son [[Joshua Fry Speed|Joshua]] and spent three weeks at Farmington in 1841 while courting [[Mary Todd]] of [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]. Lincoln would later name Joshua his [[list of U.S. attorneys general|attorney general]] during his [[Second Lincoln Administration|second administration]].<ref name=senhi/>
The site of the present city was originally part of [[Farmington (Louisville, Kentucky)|Farmington]], the 1810 estate of the Hon.&thinsp;[[John Speed (Kentucky)|John Speed]] and his second wife [[Lucy Gilmer Fry]]. [[Abraham Lincoln]] was a friend of the judge's son [[Joshua Fry Speed|Joshua]] and spent three weeks at Farmington in 1841 while courting [[Mary Todd]] of [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]. Lincoln would later name Joshua his [[United States Attorney General#List of Attorneys General|Attorney General]] during his [[Presidency of Abraham Lincoln#Administration|second administration]].<ref name=senhi/>


The Speeds sold off sections of their estate. Most of the present area of Seneca Gardens was purchased from the family in 1825 and 1846 by the [[German American|German]] gardener Jacob Wetstein. He established the [[Methodism|Methodist]] Westein Community Church on the corner of his property facing Taylorsville Road and local legend credited him with participating in the [[Underground Railroad]]. Wetstein's granddaughter's husband Edward F. Weigel, president of the Wetstein Land Company, mortgaged the estate to participate in the development of [[Broadmeade, Kentucky|Broadmeade]].<ref name=senhi/>
The Speeds sold off sections of their estate. Most of the present area of Seneca Gardens was purchased from the family in 1825 and 1846 by the [[German Americans|German]] gardener Jacob Wetstein. He established the [[Methodism|Methodist]] Westein Community Church on the corner of his property facing Taylorsville Road, and local legend credited him with participating in the [[Underground Railroad]]. Wetstein's granddaughter's husband Edward F. Weigel, president of the Wetstein Land Company, mortgaged the estate to participate in the development of [[Broadmeade, Kentucky|Broadmeade]].<ref name=senhi/>


The remainder of the community was purchased from the Speeds by another German immigrant, Paul Discher, who was listed in the 1871 Louisville Directory as a "[[huckster]]".<ref>''Louisville Directory''. 1871. Op. cit. City of Seneca Gardens. "Seneca Gardens History". Accessed 8 October 2013.</ref> His descendants established the Discher Land Company and participated with Weigel in the development of Broadmeade and the present community of Seneca Gardens in 1922.<ref name=sengar>City of Seneca Gardens. [http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/ Official site]. Accessed 8 October 2013.</ref> Owing to Weigel's mortgages, however, the [[1929 Stock Market Crash]] ruined him and his share of the land fell to his creditors.<ref name=senhi/>
The remainder of the community was purchased from the Speeds by another German immigrant, Paul Discher, who was listed in the 1871 Louisville Directory as a "[[huckster]]".<ref>''Louisville Directory''. 1871. Op. cit. City of Seneca Gardens. "Seneca Gardens History". Accessed 8 October 2013.</ref> His descendants established the Discher Land Company and participated with Weigel in the development of Broadmeade and the present community of Seneca Gardens in 1922.<ref name=sengar>City of Seneca Gardens. [http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/ Official site]. Accessed 8 October 2013.</ref> Owing to Weigel's mortgages, however, the [[1929 stock market crash]] ruined him, and his share of the land fell to his creditors.<ref name=senhi/>


The [[Fidelity and Columbia Trust Company]], which had constructed and maintained the roads and lighting system free of charge as part of its investment in the community, continued to so until 1939, when it liquidated its interests in the community. [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] had just commissioned a study suggesting that all-residential communities such as Seneca Gardens cost more in services than they provided in revenue, and Mayor Scholtz declined to annex the community. Instead, they petitioned the Jefferson Circuit Court (action #261,927) to incorporate the community on September 26 and met to form the first government on October 2.<ref name=senhi/> (The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Land Office records the city as being incorporated in 1941.<ref name=sos/>) The first city budget called for $1,600 in expenditures, requiring a [[property tax]] of 25¢ per $100 of assessed value.<ref name=senhi/>
The Fidelity and Columbia Trust Company, which had constructed and maintained the roads and lighting system free of charge as part of its investment in the community, continued to do so until 1939, when it liquidated its interests in the community. [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] had just commissioned a study suggesting that all-residential communities such as Seneca Gardens cost more in services than they provided in revenue, and [[Joseph D. Scholtz|Mayor Scholtz]] declined to annex the community. Instead, they petitioned the Jefferson Circuit Court (action #261,927) to incorporate the community on September 26 and met to form the first government on October 2.<ref name=senhi/> (The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Land Office records the city as being incorporated in 1941.<ref name=sos/>) The first city budget called for $1,600 in expenditures, requiring a [[property tax]] of 25¢ per $100 of assessed value.<ref name=senhi/>


Owing to the [[World War II|growing conflict in Europe]], the [[U.S. Army]] established a large [[list of U.S. Army bases|base]] at [[Bowman Field (airport)|Bowman Field]] in 1940. Studies undertaken during its construction led the [[U.S. Surgeon General]]'s office to contact the City Board of Trustees to complain about the community's sewage. At the time, the houses used separate [[septic tank]]s, but their functioning was greatly impaired by the area's exposed and porous limestone. Sewage was draining into the city's streams and ditches and running into [[Beargrass Creek (Kentucky)|Beargrass Creek]], affecting the new army base. Preparations for the construction of a unified sewer were suspended by the entrance of the United States into World War II in late 1941, bringing in wartime rationing of men and materiel.<ref name=senhi/>
Owing to the [[World War II|growing conflict in Europe]], the [[U.S. Army]] established a large [[list of United States Army installations|base]] at [[Bowman Field (Kentucky)|Bowman Field]] in 1940. Studies undertaken during its construction led the [[U.S. Surgeon General]]'s office to contact the City Board of Trustees to complain about the community's sewage. At the time, the houses used separate [[septic tank]]s, but their functioning was greatly impaired by the area's exposed and porous [[limestone]]. Sewage was draining into the city's streams and ditches and running into [[Beargrass Creek (Kentucky)|Beargrass Creek]], affecting the new army base. Preparations for the construction of a unified sewer were suspended by the entrance of the United States into World War II in late 1941, bringing in wartime rationing of men and materiel.<ref name=senhi/>


The city annexed some neighboring lots between Trevilian and Taylorsville roads and the area around Valletta in 1941. In 1943, some lots on the eastern side of Carolina Avenue, found to be half within Seneca Gardens and half within Louisville, opted to remove themselves to the latter by a vote of 23&ndash;3. The same year, the U.S. Army advised the city trustees that rationing no longer prevented construction of an improved sewer system and locals approved a bond issue.<ref name=senhi/>
The city annexed some neighboring lots between Trevilian and Taylorsville roads and the area around Valletta in 1941. In 1943, some lots on the eastern side of Carolina Avenue, found to be half within Seneca Gardens and half within Louisville, opted to remove themselves to the latter by a vote of 23–3. The same year, the U.S. Army advised the city trustees that rationing no longer prevented construction of an improved sewer system, and locals approved a bond issue.<ref name=senhi/>


Louisville attempted to use the issue to demand annexation of the city, but a referendum in November 1944 clearly opposed that. The referendum was legally voided on technical grounds, but Louisville accepted the annexation would not occur. It permitted Seneca Gardens to connect to its system, but set a price that city trustees found excessive. It wasn't until 1946 that a price was agreed upon and a second set of bonds issued to cover the expense and construction costs.<ref name=senhi/>
Louisville attempted to use the issue to demand annexation of the city, but a referendum in November 1944 clearly opposed that. The referendum was legally voided on technical grounds, but Louisville accepted the annexation would not occur. It permitted Seneca Gardens to connect to its system, but set a price that city trustees found excessive. It wasn't until 1946 that a price was agreed upon and a second set of bonds issued to cover the expense and construction costs.<ref name=senhi/>
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The same year, Cardinal Hill and two lots facing Seneca Park Road south of Trevilian were annexed.<ref name=senhi/> This left Seneca Gardens entirely surrounded as an enclave within Louisville after 1948,<ref name=sengar/> although the borders were not completely finalized until the 1950 annexation of the original Wetstein home and some lots along Valletta, including the Keneseth Israel Synagogue.<ref name=senhi/>
The same year, Cardinal Hill and two lots facing Seneca Park Road south of Trevilian were annexed.<ref name=senhi/> This left Seneca Gardens entirely surrounded as an enclave within Louisville after 1948,<ref name=sengar/> although the borders were not completely finalized until the 1950 annexation of the original Wetstein home and some lots along Valletta, including the Keneseth Israel Synagogue.<ref name=senhi/>


The municipal government has employed a City Arborist since 1990, who oversees tree planting and helps residents obtain trees at reduced prices.<ref name=senhi>City of Seneca Gardens. "[http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/history.htm Seneca Gardens History]". Accessed 8 October 2013.</ref>
The municipal government has employed a City Arborist since 1990, who oversees tree planting and helps residents obtain trees at reduced prices.<ref name=senhi>City of Seneca Gardens. "[http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/history.htm Seneca Gardens History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234612/http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/history.htm |date=2013-12-02 }}". Accessed 8 October 2013.</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
Seneca Gardens is located at {{coord|38|13|35|N|85|40|41|W|type:city}} (38.226420, -85.677987),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> between Woodbourne Avenue, Carolina Avenue, Taylorsville Road, and Bowman Field and Seneca Park in [[Greater Louisville]].<ref name=sengar/> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.2|sqmi|km2}}, all land.
Seneca Gardens is located in central Jefferson County between Woodbourne Avenue, Carolina Avenue, Taylorsville Road, and Bowman Field and Seneca Park in [[Greater Louisville]].<ref name=sengar/> It is bordered to the south, across Taylorsville Road, by [[Strathmoor Village, Kentucky|Strathmoor Village]] and [[Kingsley, Kentucky|Kingsley]], and on all other sides by Louisville. [[Downtown Louisville]] is {{convert|5|mi|0}} to the northwest.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Seneca Gardens has a total area of {{convert|0.4|km2|order=flip|1}}, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
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|2000= 699
|2000= 699
|2010= 696
|2010= 696
|2020= 674
|estyear=2015
⚫
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|estimate=712
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2015/SUB-EST2015.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015|accessdate=July 2, 2016}}</ref>
⚫
|footnote=<center>U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref></center>
}}
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> of 2000, there were 699 people, 294 households, and 211 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 4,286.1 people per square mile (1,686.8/km²). There were 305 housing units at an average density of 1,870.2 per square mile (736.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.29% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.14% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.57% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.00% of the population.
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 699 people, 294 households, and 211 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|4,286.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 305 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,870.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.00% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.29% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.14% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.57% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.00% of the population.


There were 294 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.84.
There were 294 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.84.


In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.
In the city the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.


The median income for a household in the city was $63,750, and the median income for a family was $83,662. Males had a median income of $57,375 versus $39,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $36,343. None of the families and 2.0% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 4.1% of those over 64.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,750, and the median income for a family was $83,662. Males had a median income of $57,375 versus $39,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $36,343. None of the families and 2.0% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 4.1% of those over 64.
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.cityofsenecagardens.com/ City of Seneca Gardens official website]


{{Louisville neighborhoods}}
{{Louisville neighborhoods}}
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{{Jefferson County, Kentucky}}
{{Jefferson County, Kentucky}}
{{Louisville}}
{{Louisville}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1922]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1922]]
[[Category:1922 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:1922 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]

Latest revision as of 04:01, 18 July 2023

Seneca Gardens, Kentucky
City
Location of Seneca Gardens in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Location of Seneca Gardens in Jefferson County, Kentucky
Seneca Gardens is located in Kentucky
Seneca Gardens
Seneca Gardens
Location within the state of Kentucky
Seneca Gardens is located in the United States
Seneca Gardens
Seneca Gardens
Seneca Gardens (the United States)
Coordinates: 38°13′38″N 85°40′38″W / 38.22722°N 85.67722°W / 38.22722; -85.67722
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountyJefferson
Incorporated1941[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2)
 • Land0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[3]
548 ft (167 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total674
 • Density4,405.23/sq mi (1,699.29/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
40205
FIPS code21-69384
GNIS feature ID2405445[3]
Websitewww.cityofsenecagardens.com

Seneca Gardens is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, and a part of the Louisville Metro government.[1] With the single exception of the Keneseth Israel Synagogue, all buildings within city limits are residential.[4] The population was 696 as of the 2010 census.[5]

History[edit]

See also: History of Louisville, Kentucky

The site of the present city was originally part of Farmington, the 1810 estate of the Hon. John Speed and his second wife Lucy Gilmer Fry. Abraham Lincoln was a friend of the judge's son Joshua and spent three weeks at Farmington in 1841 while courting Mary Todd of Lexington. Lincoln would later name Joshua his Attorney General during his second administration.[6]

The Speeds sold off sections of their estate. Most of the present area of Seneca Gardens was purchased from the family in 1825 and 1846 by the German gardener Jacob Wetstein. He established the Methodist Westein Community Church on the corner of his property facing Taylorsville Road, and local legend credited him with participating in the Underground Railroad. Wetstein's granddaughter's husband Edward F. Weigel, president of the Wetstein Land Company, mortgaged the estate to participate in the development of Broadmeade.[6]

The remainder of the community was purchased from the Speeds by another German immigrant, Paul Discher, who was listed in the 1871 Louisville Directory as a "huckster".[7] His descendants established the Discher Land Company and participated with Weigel in the development of Broadmeade and the present community of Seneca Gardens in 1922.[4] Owing to Weigel's mortgages, however, the 1929 stock market crash ruined him, and his share of the land fell to his creditors.[6]

The Fidelity and Columbia Trust Company, which had constructed and maintained the roads and lighting system free of charge as part of its investment in the community, continued to do so until 1939, when it liquidated its interests in the community. Louisville had just commissioned a study suggesting that all-residential communities such as Seneca Gardens cost more in services than they provided in revenue, and Mayor Scholtz declined to annex the community. Instead, they petitioned the Jefferson Circuit Court (action #261,927) to incorporate the community on September 26 and met to form the first government on October 2.[6] (The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Land Office records the city as being incorporated in 1941.[1]) The first city budget called for $1,600 in expenditures, requiring a property tax of 25¢ per $100 of assessed value.[6]

Owing to the growing conflict in Europe, the U.S. Army established a large base at Bowman Field in 1940. Studies undertaken during its construction led the U.S. Surgeon General's office to contact the City Board of Trustees to complain about the community's sewage. At the time, the houses used separate septic tanks, but their functioning was greatly impaired by the area's exposed and porous limestone. Sewage was draining into the city's streams and ditches and running into Beargrass Creek, affecting the new army base. Preparations for the construction of a unified sewer were suspended by the entrance of the United States into World War II in late 1941, bringing in wartime rationing of men and materiel.[6]

The city annexed some neighboring lots between Trevilian and Taylorsville roads and the area around Valletta in 1941. In 1943, some lots on the eastern side of Carolina Avenue, found to be half within Seneca Gardens and half within Louisville, opted to remove themselves to the latter by a vote of 23–3. The same year, the U.S. Army advised the city trustees that rationing no longer prevented construction of an improved sewer system, and locals approved a bond issue.[6]

Louisville attempted to use the issue to demand annexation of the city, but a referendum in November 1944 clearly opposed that. The referendum was legally voided on technical grounds, but Louisville accepted the annexation would not occur. It permitted Seneca Gardens to connect to its system, but set a price that city trustees found excessive. It wasn't until 1946 that a price was agreed upon and a second set of bonds issued to cover the expense and construction costs.[6]

The same year, Cardinal Hill and two lots facing Seneca Park Road south of Trevilian were annexed.[6] This left Seneca Gardens entirely surrounded as an enclave within Louisville after 1948,[4] although the borders were not completely finalized until the 1950 annexation of the original Wetstein home and some lots along Valletta, including the Keneseth Israel Synagogue.[6]

The municipal government has employed a City Arborist since 1990, who oversees tree planting and helps residents obtain trees at reduced prices.[6]

Geography[edit]

Seneca Gardens is located in central Jefferson County between Woodbourne Avenue, Carolina Avenue, Taylorsville Road, and Bowman Field and Seneca Park in Greater Louisville.[4] It is bordered to the south, across Taylorsville Road, by Strathmoor Village and Kingsley, and on all other sides by Louisville. Downtown Louisville is 5 miles (8 km) to the northwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Seneca Gardens has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.4 km2), all land.[5]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1950868—
19609286.9%
1970822−11.4%
1980748−9.0%
1990684−8.6%
20006992.2%
2010696−0.4%
2020674−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 699 people, 294 households, and 211 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,286.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,654.9/km2). There were 305 housing units at an average density of 1,870.2 per square mile (722.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.00% White, 1.29% African American, 0.14% Asian, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.00% of the population.

There were 294 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $63,750, and the median income for a family was $83,662. Males had a median income of $57,375 versus $39,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,343. None of the families and 2.0% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 4.1% of those over 64.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Seneca Gardens, Kentucky". Accessed 26 August 2013.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Seneca Gardens, Kentucky
  4. ^ a b c d City of Seneca Gardens. Official site. Accessed 8 October 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Seneca Gardens city, Kentucky". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k City of Seneca Gardens. "Seneca Gardens History Archived 2013-12-02 at the Wayback Machine". Accessed 8 October 2013.
  7. ^ Louisville Directory. 1871. Op. cit. City of Seneca Gardens. "Seneca Gardens History". Accessed 8 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

External links[edit]

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