Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Paducah, Kentucky / McCracken County

Photographed By Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

1. Paducah, Kentucky / McCracken County Marker

front side

Inscription. Paducah, Kentucky McCracken county seat, founded by Gen. William Clark of Lewis and Clark Expedition at confluence of Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Named for legendary Indian Chief Paduke. Home of Vice Pres. Alben Barkley and birthplace of Irvin S. Cobb. First occupied in Civil War by Gen. U.S. Grant. Became supply base of his Miss. River campaign. Great Atomic Energy plant nearby.

McCracken County Formed, 1824, from Hickman County. Named for Capt. Virgil McCracken of Woodford County, Ky. Who was killed in Battle of River Raisin near Detroit during War of 1812. Area 237 square miles. Ohio and Tennessee Rivers brought industry dependent on river transportation. First county seat at Wilmington, 1825, and moved to Paducah, 1832. Government is County Commission.

Erected 1966 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 916.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.

Location. 37°

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5.894′ N, 88° 37.837′ W. Marker is in Paducah, Kentucky, in McCracken County. Marker is at the intersection of North 8th Street (Business U.S. 45) and North H C Mathis Drive (U.S. 45), on the right when traveling east on North 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 814 N H C Mathis Dr, Paducah KY 42001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jackson Purchase (approx. 0.4 miles away); West Kentucky Industrial College (approx. 0.6 miles away); Irvin S. Cobb (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wacinton (approx. one mile away); Grave of John T. Scopes / Scopes "Monkey Trial" (approx. 1.1 miles away); Dr. Reuben Saunders (1808-1891) (approx. 1.1 miles away); Gen. Lloyd Tilghman (approx. 1.3 miles away); Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paducah.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

2. Paducah, Kentucky / McCracken County Marker

Reverse side

Photographed By Jason Voigt, March 5, 2020

3. Paducah, Kentucky / McCracken County Marker

Wide shot of marker, next to City Limit sign

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.