Louisville was founded in 1878 as a rough mining town that was often wrought with violent strikes. During those years, a lot of under-the-table, illegal gambling also took place in Louisville. People would flock from nearby Boulder and Lafayette to gamble and drink at places like The Blue Parrot, downtown Louisville's most famous restaurant.

Today, Louisville's core is the city's historic downtown district along Main Street. At the Louisville Historical Museum complex, visitors can tour three buildings that were constructed between 1903 and 1908. All are listed on the Louisville Register of Historic Places.

The Miners Memorial statue in front of City Hall is a symbol of the history of the people who built Louisville - the coal miners. In August 1877, the Welch Mine opened in Louisville, the first of many coal mines to come. Louis Nawatny, a local landowner, platted his land and named it for himself. The Town of Louisville was incorporated on June 16, 1882.

The main building, historically known as the Jacoe Store, features a variety of artifacts and historic photographs that reflect the settlement and industry of Louisville, such as coal mining artifacts and the 1920s-era painted theatre curtain from the Rex Theatre on Main Street. This building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its architecture and association with commercial development in Louisville.

In Historic Downtown today you will find 100 year old wooden buildings lining Main, Front and Pine streets. This frames an area that is home to over 100 businesses and a thriving art scene with galleries, studios and live music almost every night of the week.

The Museum is here; so is City Hall and the Public Library. It is also home to Louisville Artists Cohousing, a community that allows artists to live and work together in affordable apartments.