[7][8][9] After a devastating tornado hit Louisville, activists decided to create a place where kids could receive specialized care.

In 1930, Children's Free Hospital affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

In 1986 the modern day hospital opened at current location on East Chestnut Street.

[13][14] In 2014 Norton Children's Hospital ranked among the top 50 children's hospitals in the country and nationally ranked in six categories including #21 in cancer care, #24 in orthopedics, #24 in pulmonology, #29 in neurology and neurosurgery, #31 in urology, #40 in cardiology and heart surgery, and #51 in nephrology.

[15] In 2020 Norton Children's Hospital ranked nationally in 3 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.