20 apartments for rent in Shawnee, Louisville, KY

Set in western Louisville off the Southwestern Parkway, the Shawnee neighborhood is anchored by Shawnee Park. This municipal park features a prominent Great Lawn. A golf course equipped with a complete driving range is also a popular attraction. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Shawnee Park opened in 1892. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Olmsted, who was also responsible for designing New York’s Central Park and 18 other Louisville parks, designed the park around its spectacular views of the Ohio River. The River Walk Trail connects to Shawnee Park.

Shawnee boasts a variety of late 1800s architectural styles with several Victorian, Renaissance Revival, and Italianate historical homes in the area. Early in Shawnee’s history, much of the property in the community was owned by tobacco manufacturer Basil Doerhoefer. The magnate built several mansions, including his Shawnee three story home.

Although these impressive structures match the grandeur of other historical Louisville homes, Shawnee residences tend to be less expensive. These low housing costs bring many of Shawnee’s new residents to this working class community.

Shawnee’s borders are Interstate 264, West Broadway, and Shawnee Park off Northwestern Parkway. The neighborhood includes both zip codes 40212 and 40211. The community is represented by the Shawnee Neighborhood Association (SNA), formed in 2008.

The 2010-2011 school year marked significant change for Shawnee education. The former Shawnee High School changed to The Academy at Shawnee. Focused on an innovative model, the school offers educational, social, and developmental programs to serve all aspects of student life. Students face a challenging curriculum, with opportunities to take classes in energy technology and aviation. In fact they can even earn a pilot’s license while still in high school.