Okolona
Okolona is located in southern Jefferson County in Louisville, KY. It is centered on the intersection of Preston Highway and the Outer Loop. The population was 17,807 at the 2000 census. After the merger in 2003 between Louisville and Jefferson County, KY residents of Okolona also became citizens of Louisville Metro.
Okolona began long ago when it was first settled by farmers from Pennyslvania and Virginia in the late 18th century. It was called Lone Oak in the late 19th century. However, a town in Paducah, Kentucky already claimed the name Lone Oak for its post office, so the town rearranged the words into Okolona. Farming, as well as logging and charcoal production were important industries around this time.
Although an interurban line was extended to the area in 1905, residential development did not pick up until General Electric was opened nearby in 1953.
Interesting sidenote? Okolona sits at exactly the same elevation as Downtown Louisville despite being 10 miles (16 km) from the Ohio River, making it one of the city's most flood prone areas. Several square miles of wetlands had to be drained in the area to make development possible.
Okolona is home to the Jefferson Mall, one of the city's largest shopping areas in the South End. It is also home to Evangel Tabernacle Church, the largest Assembly of God congregation in the area.
Schools in the Okolona area include:
Elementary
- Okolona Elementary/
- Blue Lick Elementary/
- Blake Elementary
Middle School
- T.T.Knight Middle School
High School