Indian Hills, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Indian Hills is a city in Jefferson County
, Kentucky
, United States
, along the Ohio River
. The population was 2,882 at the 2000 census.
Indian Hills and with the neighboring cities of Mockingbird Valley
and Glenview
have been considered the most prosperous suburbs of Louisville since the mid-20th century. It was among the highest-income places in the United States
in the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), of which, 2 square miles (5.2 km²) of it is land and 0.51% is water.
The muddy fork of Beargrass Creek
runs through Indian Hills. The region is hilly karst
with numerous rock outcroppings visible, and the area is densely forested. This terrain, along with the large house lots, have been mentioned as defining features of the community.
Over a third of the land is intentionally left undeveloped, mostly as woodlands. 10 areas were originally developed by the Olmsted Brothers
landscaping firm, and other tracts have been donated to the city over the years. Most of the undeveloped land is located on Indian Hills Trail between Louisville Country Club and the Ohio River
. Caperton Swamp Nature Preserve is also located in the city.
The undeveloped areas around Beargrass Creek and nearly all of the city north of Interstate 71
are in the 100 year flood plain and seasonal flooding is common. The intersection of Indian Hills Road and River Road is closed occasionally in spring due to high water.
.
There are two other Indian Hills houses on the National Register of Historic Places, both in the northeastern fringe and more closely connected to the "Country Estates of River Road" properties which are mostly in Glenview. Blankenbaker Station was built in 1916 and was one of the first "fireproof" homes in Louisville. Midlands was built in 1913 for a member of the locally-prominent Belknap Family.
The Veech family owned much of the land into the 20th century. In 1911, the family contracted the Frederick Law Olmsted
landscaping firm to plan the development of a golf course and subdivision. By 1924, the land had been developed as Louisville Country Club and the initial subdivision, sometimes referred to as Indian Hills-Country Club, was developed mostly from 1927 to 1941 by the Semonin company. Indian Hills incorporated as a city on December 15, 1941.
Initial lot restrictions required houses to be sold for at least $10,000, and this was raised to $20,000 in 1946. Calumet Road was the last portion of the original Indian Hills to be developed, with construction on homes delayed until the 1950s due to the steep terrain.
The current fourth-class city of Indian Hills was formed after a 1999 election merged the former cities of Indian Hills, Indian Hills-Cherokee (incorporated 1955), Winding Falls (incorporated June 15, 1977) and Robinswood (incorporated June 25, 1965). The merger failed a vote in 1998, when Riverwood, Kentucky
, which Indian Hills surrounds, was included. The modified proposal succeeded a year later, motivated primarily by desires to protect the cities from unknown changes in the impending merger of Louisville with Jefferson County. The merger also made the city large enough to seek fourth-class city status, which gave it additional zoning powers, and combined two smaller police departments into a larger force. Rolling Fields, Kentucky
was also approached about joining the merger, but declined.
The issue laid dormant until the 1980s, when Louisville again proposed sewers for Indian Hills, this time without annexation. Indian Hills voters rejected sewers in a 1987 vote. However, building a sewer line through Indian Hills was the only economical way to extend service to communities like Winding Falls that did want sewer service, and this was done in the early 1990s, but Indian Hills itself was not hooked up to the sewer system and resident continued to use their aging septic tanks.
The issue came to a head in 1995 when neighbors and the county sued a resident over his overflowing septic tank, which he and septic tank companies claimed couldn't be fixed and the only option was installing sewers. Jeanne Beam, who had been mayor for 22 years and was a staunch opponent of the sewers, abruptly resigned in June of that year when the city's commissioners would no longer support her efforts to continue fighting sewers. The sewer project ended up being the most expensive in Jefferson County history when construction finally began in 1999, costing residents between $20,800 and $31,200 each.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 2,882 people, 1,119 households, and 914 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,459.5 people per square mile (564.8/km²). There were 1,162 housing units at an average density of 588.5 per square mile (227.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.70% White, 1.73% African American, 1.60% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races
, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.
There were 1,119 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples
living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 36.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $120,602, and the median income for a family was $134,600. Males had a median income of $98,469 versus $41,000 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $66,637. About 0.5% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. The population was 2,882 at the 2000 census.
Indian Hills and with the neighboring cities of Mockingbird Valley
Mockingbird Valley, Kentucky
Mockingbird Valley is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 190 at the 2000 census. It has the highest per capita income of any location in Kentucky, and the tenth highest of any location in America....
and Glenview
Glenview, Kentucky
Glenview is a city in northeastern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 558 at the 2000 census, and was estimated to have increased to 718 by the 2006 census estimate....
have been considered the most prosperous suburbs of Louisville since the mid-20th century. It was among the highest-income places in the United States
Highest-income places in the United States
-100 highest-income places with at least 1,000 households:This is a list of the 100 richest places in the United States with at least 1,000 households. This is the most common list used for referring to the richest communities in the country, as it eliminates any places with insignificant populations...
in the 2000 census.
Geography
Indian Hills is located at 38°16′41"N 85°39′35"W (38.278087, -85.659762).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), of which, 2 square miles (5.2 km²) of it is land and 0.51% is water.
The muddy fork of Beargrass Creek
Beargrass Creek
Beargrass Creek is the name given to several forks of a creek in Jefferson County, Kentucky. The Beargrass Creek watershed is the largest in the county, draining over ....
runs through Indian Hills. The region is hilly karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
with numerous rock outcroppings visible, and the area is densely forested. This terrain, along with the large house lots, have been mentioned as defining features of the community.
Over a third of the land is intentionally left undeveloped, mostly as woodlands. 10 areas were originally developed by the Olmsted Brothers
Olmsted Brothers
The Olmsted Brothers company was an influential landscape design firm in the United States, formed in 1898 by stepbrothers John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. .-History:...
landscaping firm, and other tracts have been donated to the city over the years. Most of the undeveloped land is located on Indian Hills Trail between Louisville Country Club and the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. Caperton Swamp Nature Preserve is also located in the city.
The undeveloped areas around Beargrass Creek and nearly all of the city north of Interstate 71
Interstate 71
Interstate 71 is an Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes/Midwestern and Southeastern region of the United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 64 and Interstate 65 in Louisville, Kentucky. Its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 in Cleveland,...
are in the 100 year flood plain and seasonal flooding is common. The intersection of Indian Hills Road and River Road is closed occasionally in spring due to high water.
History
John Veech was an important early settler, farming 300 acres starting in 1805. In 1872, the farm became known as "Indian Hill Stock Farm" and was for a time one of the largest horse farms in Kentucky. An 1877 Courier-Journal article claims the name was chosen because hundreds of Indians camped near what became Veech's residence at the time of Louisville's founding in 1778, although naming developments after Indians was generally fashionable in the late 19th century. The Georgian-style Veech house still stands at 125 Indian Hills Trail, as does the farm's springhouse at 119 Arrowhead Rd. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
There are two other Indian Hills houses on the National Register of Historic Places, both in the northeastern fringe and more closely connected to the "Country Estates of River Road" properties which are mostly in Glenview. Blankenbaker Station was built in 1916 and was one of the first "fireproof" homes in Louisville. Midlands was built in 1913 for a member of the locally-prominent Belknap Family.
The Veech family owned much of the land into the 20th century. In 1911, the family contracted the Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted was an American journalist, social critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of American landscape architecture, although many scholars have bestowed that title upon Andrew Jackson Downing...
landscaping firm to plan the development of a golf course and subdivision. By 1924, the land had been developed as Louisville Country Club and the initial subdivision, sometimes referred to as Indian Hills-Country Club, was developed mostly from 1927 to 1941 by the Semonin company. Indian Hills incorporated as a city on December 15, 1941.
Initial lot restrictions required houses to be sold for at least $10,000, and this was raised to $20,000 in 1946. Calumet Road was the last portion of the original Indian Hills to be developed, with construction on homes delayed until the 1950s due to the steep terrain.
The current fourth-class city of Indian Hills was formed after a 1999 election merged the former cities of Indian Hills, Indian Hills-Cherokee (incorporated 1955), Winding Falls (incorporated June 15, 1977) and Robinswood (incorporated June 25, 1965). The merger failed a vote in 1998, when Riverwood, Kentucky
Riverwood, Kentucky
Riverwood is a city in northeastern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 469 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Riverwood is located at ....
, which Indian Hills surrounds, was included. The modified proposal succeeded a year later, motivated primarily by desires to protect the cities from unknown changes in the impending merger of Louisville with Jefferson County. The merger also made the city large enough to seek fourth-class city status, which gave it additional zoning powers, and combined two smaller police departments into a larger force. Rolling Fields, Kentucky
Rolling Fields, Kentucky
Rolling Fields is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 648 at the 2000 census. It incorporated as a city in 1958.-Geography:Rolling Fields is located at ....
was also approached about joining the merger, but declined.
Sewer dispute
In 1954, a long-running dispute began when Louisville proposed annexing Indian Hills to extend sewer service to the city and areas east. At the time, this met with what the Courier-Journal reported to be universal opposition in Indian Hills, with reporters unable to find a single supporter of annexation or sewers in Indian Hills. Indian Hills began exercising its zoning and annexation powers in the following years to clearly establish its boundaries and municipal independence.The issue laid dormant until the 1980s, when Louisville again proposed sewers for Indian Hills, this time without annexation. Indian Hills voters rejected sewers in a 1987 vote. However, building a sewer line through Indian Hills was the only economical way to extend service to communities like Winding Falls that did want sewer service, and this was done in the early 1990s, but Indian Hills itself was not hooked up to the sewer system and resident continued to use their aging septic tanks.
The issue came to a head in 1995 when neighbors and the county sued a resident over his overflowing septic tank, which he and septic tank companies claimed couldn't be fixed and the only option was installing sewers. Jeanne Beam, who had been mayor for 22 years and was a staunch opponent of the sewers, abruptly resigned in June of that year when the city's commissioners would no longer support her efforts to continue fighting sewers. The sewer project ended up being the most expensive in Jefferson County history when construction finally began in 1999, costing residents between $20,800 and $31,200 each.
Demographics
| Year | Indian Hills | Indian Hills-Cherokee | Robinswood | Winding Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 291 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 1960 | 601 | 226 | n/a | n/a |
| 1970 | 600 | 282 | 300 | n/a |
| 1980 | 787 | 585 | 273 | 454 |
| 1990 | 1074 | 1005 | 250 | 657 |
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,882 people, 1,119 households, and 914 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,459.5 people per square mile (564.8/km²). There were 1,162 housing units at an average density of 588.5 per square mile (227.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.70% White, 1.73% African American, 1.60% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population.
There were 1,119 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.3% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 36.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $120,602, and the median income for a family was $134,600. Males had a median income of $98,469 versus $41,000 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $66,637. About 0.5% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.