Anchorage, Kentucky

Anchorage, Kentucky is one of the most beautiful and affluent communities in Louisville. The City of Anchorage is located 20 minutes from downtown Louisville -- bordered by Eastwood to the east, Tom Sawyer Park to the west, Middletown to the south, and Oldham County to the North.

Its history stretches back to 1773, but the rolling hills, preserved green spaces, and groves of magnolia and oak trees showcase the characteristic design features of the legendary Frederick Law Olmsted, who made his mark here in the early 1900s. More recently, Papa John’s Pizza magnate John Schnatter has been working to build up downtown Anchorage to become a unique destination, much like The Highlands.

Throughout the decades, Anchorage has successfully maintained a reputation as a charming and desirable place to live, whether you’re a young family looking for a quaint town to set down roots, or an upwardly mobile couple looking to move up to a new home with land.

People come to Anchorage for the safety of the neighborhoods, where children ride their bikes to school and Sunday strolls among the flowering dogwoods, jonquils, tulips, daisies, and roses are commonplace. The lovingly preserved gardens, natural backdrop of Tom Sawyer State Park, the historic 100-year-old architecture, the spacious greens, and the charming main street make Anchorage the perfect place to “set down anchor” and grow a family.

Mary Davis, a realtor with Lenihan Sotheby's International Realty, grew up in Anchorage and continues to show homes here presently. “Anchorage was, I think to my parents, the ideal community,” she said in the Louisville Perspectives podcast. “It was close enough for dad to get to work [at GE], but it had the big yards and the trees, and a wonderful school…. It was really an ideal childhood -- dogs, kids, horses, family events. It’s very similar today. All these years later, you still have some of the great qualities.”

Quality education remains a big draw for Louisville home buyers shopping in Anchorage. Recently, the Anchorage public school system ranked FIRST out of 19 elementary schools in the State of Kentucky. Parents will find a decent selection of public and religious pre-schools, and have their choice of sending older children to Eastern High School, Maryhurst, or Holy Angels Academy. Local schools receive consistently high marks for principal and teacher involvement. Test scores are 18-41 percent higher than state averages, and there are many programs to support children who are gifted or have special needs.

At one time, all of Anchorage was owned by Virginia militia officers who had served in the French and Indian War. Parcels were carved off to form Tom Sawyer State Park and the Central State Hospital. Famous past residents include brewer Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, riverboat captain James W. Goslee, silent film star Virginia Pearson, MLB Boston Red Sox Pitcher Isaac Shilling, NBA Heat player Mario Chalmers, TVactor James Morrison, and former NFL guard / sports analyst Mark Schlereth. Today, luxury buyers can come to Anchorage and enjoy privacy among the magnolias. CEOs like David Novak (YUM! Brands) and John Schnatter (Papa John’s), as well as songwriter Joan Osborne, call Anchorage home.

Springhurst shopping centers and top Louisville attractions like the zoo and Six Flags amusement park are a short drive from Anchorage – but, for a rural setting, Anchorage is far from “sleepy.” The Anchorpalooza Music Festival, 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, Turkey Trot, and Winterfest are a few of the regular community events that make the city feel like home. Residents can indulge in a day of pampering at the Serenity Spa or putt a few rounds at Owl Creek Country Club. Or they can take the family to play arcade games at the Renaissance Fun Park and bet on horses at David P. Holloway Racing.

Anchorage is especially well-known for producing quality restaurants -- like The Village Anchor, Mark’s Feed Store, Havana Rumba, La Cocina de Mama, and Selena’s at Willow Lake Tavern -- which attract patrons from all over the greater Louisville metro. 

John Schnatter is reportedly “sparing no expense” in renovating older structures near Evergreen and Station roads to be aligned with turn-of-the-century architectural trends. He owns at least 6% of Anchorage, but envisions a bigger, bolder urban town center sort of like a miniature version of The Highlands or St. Matthews, while remaining sensitive to the residents’ desires to maintain the village-like atmosphere. He plans to open a steak house, ice cream and coffee shops, a bakery, and other shops where residents can walk to fulfill some of their daily needs.

Many families in Anchorage are on their second and third homes, but young families settle in, too. One of the draws of moving to Anchorage is that buyers could feasibly start their families off in a cottage bungalow on 0.25-acres and scale up to a larger home, or start big with homes priced well into the millions and downsize later, once the nest empties out – all without ever leaving the city.

Not every home in Anchorage has a huge yard, but the lots are generally larger than what you’ll find in The Highlands or St. Matthews, and the feel is much more “rural.” Historic homes sit on some of the largest parcels of land, but you can find brand new homes on 1.5-acre sites. There is a good blend of old and new, with quaint Cape Cods next to Colonial mansions, or modest stucco bungalows adjacent to brick Italianate manors. Homes date back to the 1800s, but there are also estates custom-built within the last year. One thing the houses seem to have in common is that they all feature their own distinctive character and charm.

In the past, it wasn’t unusual to see four or five horses walking down the road in Anchorage. These days, a group called Anchorage Trails clears paths for equestrian use, but walkers and joggers use them just as much. There is less woodland and more properties in modern Anchorage, which goes hand-in-hand with a community’s growth in popularity, but driving through the neighborhoods still resonates with buyers seeking a great atmosphere in a flourishing section of town.

Houses are in hot demand here, so buyers are best to consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent who can guide them through the process of buying in a market where listings completely turn over every month or two.

Click here to search Anchorage KY Real Estate Listings.