Harrods Creek, Kentucky

Harrods Creek is a neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky centered near Harrods Creek at the intersection of River Road and Wolf Pen Branch Road. It is roughly bordered by the Ohio River to the west and US 42 to the east. Its ZIP code is 40027. Formerly an unincorporated community, it was designated a neighborhood of Louisville when the city merged with Jefferson County in 2003.Early historyA town was planned by the Transylvania Company, and lots were sold, but a town was not developed. Nevertheless, the area was known as "Seminary Land" for some time. Some development did occur in the area when the Louisville-Westport Pike (later renamed River Road) was built through it. Harrod's Tavern was an early stopping point for boats headed downstream, and the building lives on, heavily rebuilt, as the Captain's Quarters bar and restaurant.The area is named for Harrods Creek, one of two local creeks. The namesake of the creek is either James Harrod, founder of Fort Harrod (modern Harrodsburg), or Captain William Harrod, an early Louisvillian. The area became agricultural in the early 19th century, primarily selling flour and cornmeal to the nearby market of Louisville.In 1877, the Louisville, Harrods Creek and Westport Railway reached the area and, owing to the era's Long Depression, never reached beyond it. The line became part of the L&N network in 1881. As with other areas in the Louisville hinterland, improved transportation made Harrods Creek a popular choice for suburban estates by the turn of the century. Prominent Louisville families that built homes here included the Browns and the Hilliards.