There are landmarks in cities and on routes that I look forward to seeing. It can be a sculpture, a building, even a view. In Houston, there was the mural on the side of Mary’s, a gay club on Westheimer (I believe both are gone). There’s also the dandelion fountain (the Wortham Fountain) on Allen Parkway, that tree in the bayou (drainage canal) just north of I-10 near downtown, and the Williams Water Wall, by the Galleria. I also like the view from the top of the bridge that takes you onto Galveston Island. In New Orleans, I like to see if the drag queen barbies are still in that display window on Bourbon Street. And then there’s that giant cross on interstates 57/70 in Effingham, Illinois, which lets you know you’re in Effingham.
Back in August, my friend Melissa introduced me to a Louisville landmark — or at least something I look forward to seeing when I take Frankfort Avenue to River Road. It’s the facade of a house. I biked out to it in September to get a closer look.
According to Wikipedia and Unusual Kentucky, the facade of the Heigold House is one of the few remains of the Point neighborhood, an area populated by wealthy ex-New Orleanians in the 19th century. The rerouting of Beargrass Creek and the 1937 Ohio River flood contributed to the eventual disappearance of the neighborhood. The facade was moved to its current location to make room for condos, although I can’t find out exactly when.
So now I know what that is. Next up? Finding the carved rabbit statue.
