By Ian S. Palmer
For the price of $50,000 you could own a piece of American history as Muhammad Ali’s boyhood home is currently up for sale in Louisville, Kentucky. However, you could be paying double its worth since a property administration website home has recently assessed its value at $23,260.
Steve Stephenson currently owns the small white home and said he’s looking for $50,000 for it. The house is situated on a tree-lined street in western Louisville and mixes in well with the neighboring modest homes. There’s a for sale sign in front of the house, but Stephenson hasn’t provided any more details about it other than the cost.
It’s a one-story house and there’s a Kentucky historical marker in place which recognizes it as being the family home of the Clay family. Ali was born Cassius clay and later changed his name as he converted to the Muslim religion. The plaque states that Ali lived in the home with his brother and parents and the boys attended public schools in the local neighborhood. The plaque also says Ali’s values were instilled in the home by his parents.
However, if you’re interested in the historical house, be aware that Greg Fischer, the mayor of Louisville, said his city is interested in preserving the house because of who it once belonged to. Fischer said the city wants to do everything it can to expand and preserve the Ali legacy in the boxing champion’s hometown. He added that the house can be used as an inspiration to other people.
Even though Ali has been retired for just over three decades now he’s still one of the world’s most-recognizable and beloved people and it seems the three-time world heavyweight king always will be. He doesn’t make many public appearances these days since he’s fighting the affects of Parkinson’s disease. His last venture under the spotlight came a few weeks ago at the closing ceremonies of the 2012 summer Olympics in London, England.
Ali is generally regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time and he also endeared himself to millions of people due to his belief in the planet’s social causes. He’s traveled around the globe dozens of times in his lifetime to help with numerous humanitarian issues. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed and in 2005 President George W. Bush awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
There are plenty places to visit in Louisville already when it comes to Ali, with the Muhammad Ali Center being one of the most popular. This is an educational center and museum which is located in the downtown area. Donald Lassere, who is the centers CEO and president, said he hopes that the city preserves Ali’s former home in a way that can make residents and Ali proud.
Sixty-three-year-old James Calloway lives on the street of the home and said the young Ali was a great neighbor and would always carry Calloway’s mother’s laundry basket to the local Laundromat for her. Ali took up boxing while living in the house at the age of 12 after somebody stole his bike. The rest as they say is history as he went on to win a gold medal at the Olympics and the world heavyweight title.
Calloway said he feels the home should be converted into a museum and there are millions of others who agree with him.
