U of L Silos Postcard

4.5x6 Postcard

The Purina silos near the University of Louisville were an iconic feature of the city for over 90 years. Located along South Floyd Street near the Belknap Campus, these 22 silos were originally part of a Ralston-Purina plant. The facility played a key role in Louisville’s industrial history, specializing in grain and soybean processing. The silos were known for their checkerboard logo, a hallmark of the Purina brand, which later gave way to a U of L-themed repaint featuring the university's name.

The site gained notoriety in 1981 when it caused a major sewer explosion, rocking the area and damaging nearby structures, including the Purina plant itself. Following the explosion, Purina rebuilt with the aid of city industrial bonds, then sold the property soonafter in 1984. The University of Louisville acquired the site in 2013, ultimately deciding to demolish the aging silos in 2014 as part of its continuous campus expansion plans. The site was reduced to mere rubble, leaving only a gravel lot in its place.

These silos were a visible reminder to daily passersby on I-65 of Louisville's industrial past. Their demolition marked the end of an era in the city's evolving landscape.

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