The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Who is Sherman Minton?
What to know about the former justice
Commuters in the Louisville Metro area are reminded of the name every time they travel across the bridge connecting Derby City to New Albany, Indiana.
Originally known as the Louisville-New Albany Bridge, the double-deck structure spanning the Ohio River was soon renamed to honor Sherman Minton, a judge and legislator who was featured in the national spotlight during the mid-20th century.
Who was Sherman Minton?
The first native Hoosier to be named as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Minton was born right across the river from Louisville. A native of Georgetown, Indiana, he served on the court from 1949-56 after being appointed to the bench by former President Harry S. Truman.
During his tenure, Minton often practiced the philosophy of judicial restraint, meaning he preferred to uphold the status quo. He did, however, rule in favor of desegregation in the landmark 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education . Minton retired from the bench due to poor health, The Courier Journal reported in September 1956.
Prior to his Supreme Court appointment, Minton represented Indiana as a Democrat in the U.S. Senate, serving from 1935-41. He was known for his support of former President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and FDR’s proposal to add more justices to the Supreme Court.
On April 4, 1962, Indiana Gov. Matthew Welsh announced the Louisville-New Albany Bridge would be renamed after Minton. C. Pralle Ernie, then the mayor of New Albany, is credited with suggesting the name, The Courier Journal reported. Minton attended a ceremony for the announcement of the bridge’s new name, The Courier Journal reported.
Clifford Maschmeyer, an Indiana state senator from Clarksville, presented a resolution the same year which referred to Minton as “Indiana’s most distinguished and beloved citizen living in this area.” Maschmeyer said it was important to honor Minton, then 71 years old, while he was alive. Minton died three years later.