The caretaker at Cardinal Hill

Over 80 years ago, The Courier-Journal ran a profile on George C. Keller and his work as caretaker at Louisville Water’s Cardinal Hill Reservoir, which was then still relatively new. Before being remotely operated, the daily operations needed constant attention and to be staffed around the clock — Keller and his wife lived on site. The Sunday morning article chronicled both his work-related responsibilities and what life was like living at what was then a remote location.

Planned and put into operation within three years (1929-1932), the reservoir provided Louisville Water with extra water pressure for the remote and elevated areas in the growing southern part of the city.

In 1929, an extended drought caused low pressure in higher elevations and remote areas during periods of high-water usage in the late afternoons and evenings. The southern area of the city grew faster than expected, and something needed to be done to address the water short-coming.

The solution: build a large, elevated reservoir supplied with water pumped from Crescent Hill and, in times of need, use gravity to distribute the water into the system.

Caretaker Keller sometimes had his hands full when he was profiled in The Courier-Journal in 1938. During the 1930s, he kept a long and busy schedule during the summers. His work day usually lasted for more than fourteen hours.

A typical summer day: At 6:30 a.m. Keller fed chickens, watered flowers and worked on other chores. His assistant got there at 7, allowing Keller to have his breakfast at 7:30.

The first gauge reading was done at 8 a.m. Keller then called Crescent Hill to make sure both gauges were reading the same. That way the pump operators would know how much water was needed to be pumped to the reservoir. If the remote gauge was inaccurate, Keller would have to make gauge readings every hour and relay that information back to Crescent Hill until repairs could be made. One time this required him to set his alarm every hour through the night so he would not miss a reading; however, a typical day usually continued with chores, general maintenance, tending the flower garden and mowing the grass. Lights out at 9 p.m.

Keller and his wife first moved to the remote and picturesque site in the mid-1930s. Keller recalled, “The first sunset we saw was the prettiest I ever saw. The view is real pretty too.”

The wooded scenery and cooling breezes attracted summer crowds. Not only was Keller more active during the summer days of making sure the reservoir was kept full, he also had to be alert, watching out for romantically inclined teenagers taking advantage of the secluded grounds.

“There’s more woo pitched up here than you can shake a stick at,” Keller told The Courier-Journal reporter. “It’s a regular lover’s lane.” He continued, “I feel real mean, but I have to ask them to move on.”

The remote location offered opposite winter challenges; Keller reminisced about his solitary days. Not as much water was used, which gave him more free time. Then sometimes they would get snowed in. The roads were not plowed and were impassable for days. He sometimes found himself talking to the chickens. One wonders how his wife faired during days like these.

In 1972, modern monitoring equipment with “up-to-date automatic and remote-controlled systems (were) in all Stations.” The operations at Cardinal Hill were controlled remotely from Crescent Hill, and staff no longer lived on the grounds. That same year a house (possibly Keller’s house), garage and all belongs were retired from Louisville Water’s books.

Today, the chickens and the flower gardens are long gone, and it is fenced in and closed to the public.