Valve from the 1870s Unearthed in Louisville

Louisville Water crews said they ran into a historic roadblock while working on the Frankfort Avenue Main Replacement Project, reported WAVE.

The water company said the discovery was determined to be an ancient check valve dating all the way back to the 1870s.

A check valve is buried underground and prevents backflow, allowing water to flow one way without flowing in an opposite direction.

According to a release, one of Louisville Water’s site inspectors, Tony Gathof, found the valve during a routine pipe inspection in late 2021.

Louisville Water’s former president and CEO John Huber said the valve was likely installed during the construction of Central State Hospital on LaGrange Road. The large valve was built to support higher water pressure with a lighter flapper. The valve’s installation was funded by state officials who were looking to extend water main lines to a standpipe near the facility, according to the water company.

Louisville Water said the valve was built for the Crescent Hill water storage tank, which was taken out of service and replaced with the Westport Road pump station. The storage tank was torn down in the 1980s.