Liminal Louisville started as a personal goodbye to one of my favorite spots in town: the Witch’s Hat gazebo at Hogan’s Fountain in Cherokee Park. Drawing it and digging into its history helped me process why it was demolished. I didn’t expect much when I shared it, but the response of your stories, memories, and nostalgia sparked something bigger.
As Louisville edges closer to big-city status, we’re watching the places that made it feel like home disappear. Local bars, restaurants, parks, and corner spots we took for granted are being replaced by the same bland chains found in every other city. Liminal Louisville is my way of preserving what made our city feel like ours. It’s a love letter to lost third places, hometown landmarks, and the weird little gems that gave this place its character.
Since August 2023, I’ve drawn almost 20 of these lost locations - each one deeply researched and illustrated down to the stickers on their front door. It takes time, but it’s worth it to bring a little piece of each lost place back. If you want to help keep the project going, I’ve started offering prints and postcards of each lost landmark. Every bit of support helps me keep the project going. And if not, enjoy some artwork and history of Louisville's past!
-Lucas
-Lucas