Bunton's Seed Hits the Road

The coming of the freeway system to Louisville made a considerable impact on many businesses. But for Bunton's Seed Co., part of that impact came in the form of a wrecking ball.

By 1959 the North-South Expressway was completed from the south to Broadway. But construction stalled as leaders debated whether to have the freeway cross into Indiana via the Second Street Bridge or to build an entirely new bridge. (Note: Bridge debates are nothing new around here.)

Eventually, the freeway was designated as Interstate 65 and decision was made to build a new span upriver. But when the lines were drawn on the map to connect the new bridge with the existing freeway, Bunton's Seed Co. was squarely in the path.

And so, in 1962-63, the company moved six blocks east to its current location at 939 E. Jefferson St.

About the same time, company founder W.P. Bunton retired, and son W.P. Bunton Jr. assumed leadership of Bunton's Seed Co.

New Home: A new, spacious mostly one-story retail store with ample parking was constructed as Bunton's Seed Co. moved from its historic location near downtown across from the Haymarket.

Even though Bunton's Seed Co. was forced to leave the area of the farmers produce market -- known as the Haymarket, the company relocated to another heavily agri-business district dominated by the Bourbon Stockyards.