Hawesville in Hancock County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Hawesville Railroad Station

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

1. Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (side 1)

Inscription.
(side 1)
Rails of Louisville, St. Louis, and Texas Railroad laid here June 9, 1888. First passenger train ran between Owensboro and Stephensport Oct. 7, 1888. Service between Evansville and Louisville began in April 1889. Rail line later became Louisville, Henderson, St. Louis R.R. and then part of L&N system in 1929. See over

(side 2)
Present station constructed 1902; additions made ca. 1919. During heyday, six L&N trains stopped here daily. Embarkation point for Army troops during World War I. Pres. Harry S. Truman spoke here during an election campaign whistlestop, Sept. 30, 1948. Local passenger service ended in the late 1950s. See over.

Erected 1989 by National-Southwire Aluminum Co., Kentucky Historical Society & Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1856.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman series list.

Location. 37° 54.105′ N, 86° 44.828′ W. Marker is in Hawesville, Kentucky, in Hancock County. Marker is on River Street north of Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is

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located near the entrance to the former Hawesville Railroad Depot which now houses the Hancock County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 River Street, Hawesville KY 42348, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. County Named - 1829 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hawesville (approx. ¼ mile away); Captain William Davison / Steamboat Disaster (approx. half a mile away); Fabric of Cannelton (approx. 0.6 miles away in Indiana); Indiana Cotton Mill (approx. 0.7 miles away in Indiana); Gilbert Mortier Marquis de Layfayette (approx. 0.8 miles away in Indiana); Cannelton Courthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away in Indiana); Perry County Rocks (approx. 0.8 miles away in Indiana). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hawesville.

Regarding Hawesville Railroad Station. Former Hawesville Railroad Depot now houses the Hancock County Museum.

Also see . . .
1. Hawesville Railroad Station. Hancock County website entry:
The Hawesville railroad station was built in 1902 out of Southern pine, and stood 18 feet wide by 81.5 feet long. It is next to the railroad tracks on River Street along the Ohio River bank. The Hawesville railroad station served as the chief transportation center for Hancock County for many years. The last passenger train passed through the old station in 1959. The station later served as Hawesville's

Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (<i>side 2</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

2. Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (side 2)

City Hall for 16 years. In 1981 the town constructed its present city hall building, leaving the depot to fall into disrepair. It was sold to the Hancock County Historical Society for $1 and a lease was signed with CSX Railroad to leave it in intact. The historical society raised funds and used volunteers to restore the building and convert it into the present Hancock County Museum. (Submitted on July 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad. American Rails website entry:
According to the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Historical Society the Louisville & Nashville Railroad was created on March 5, 1850 when the state of Kentucky issued a charter for the company "...to build a railroad between Louisville, Kentucky, and the Tennessee state line in the direction of Nashville." A little more than a year later a similar proclamation was granted through Tennessee on December 4, 1851 which gave the L&N legal authority to construct a line from Louisville to Nashville. (Submitted on July 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Wikipedia entry:
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad grew into one of the great success stories of American business. Operating under one name continuously for 132 years, it survived civil war and economic depression and several waves of social and technological

Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

3. Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (tall view)

change. Growth of the railroad continued until its purchase and the tumultuous rail consolidations of the 1980s which led to continual successors. The combined company became CSX Transportation (CSX), which now owns and operates all of the former Louisville and Nashville lines. (Submitted on July 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (<i>wide view; Hawesville Railroad Station in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

4. Hawesville Railroad Station Marker (wide view; Hawesville Railroad Station in background)

Hawesville Railroad Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

5. Hawesville Railroad Station

Hawesville Railroad Station and L&N Caboose image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

6. Hawesville Railroad Station and L&N Caboose

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 6, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.