Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Flood Wall / The 1937 Flood
Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 10, 2020
1. The Flood Wall / The 1937 Flood Marker
The Flood Wall
Paducah's $8,000,000 flood wall was built by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, is twelve miles long and protects the city to a height three feet above the 1937 flood level. The Flood of 1937 could not occur again in Paducah because of the flood wall, TVA's dams, and other upstream reservoirs. In all, flood control has cost TVA almost $200,000,000. Over.
The 1937 Flood
The Ohio Valley Flood of 1937 was the greatest natural disaster in the history of the U.S. and drove over one million citizens from their homes. When the Ohio River reached its crest in Paducah on Feb. 2, 1937, the water stood at 60.8 feet. Over 90 per cent of the city was inundated, 27,000 people were evacuated, and damage exceeded $22,000,000. Over.
Erected 1968 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1108.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 2, 1937.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Quilt Title: Corona II: Solar Eclipse, 1989 (within shouting distance of this marker); Quilt Title: …And Our Flag Was Still There!, 2013 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Anderson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Paducah-March 1864 (about 300 feet away); 8th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery (about 300 feet away); Death of Albert Thompson (about 300 feet away); A Paducah CSA Hero (about 300 feet away); Grant's Proclamation (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paducah.
Also see . . . Ohio River flood of 1937 on Wikipedia. While there have been several natural disasters that have happened in the United States since this marker was placed (1968), it does note that the Flood of 1937 was one of the worst in U.S. history. Flooding would stretch from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the river's terminus in Cairo, Illinois (55 miles west of Paducah). (Submitted on August 15, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 10, 2020
2. The Flood Wall / The 1937 Flood Marker Reverse
Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 10, 2020
3. The Flood Wall / The 1937 Flood Marker
Near the entrance of the Convention Center
Photographed By Shane Oliver, May 1, 2021
4. View of the Julian M. Carroll Convention Center
The marker can be seen toward the right in this view.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, May 1, 2021
5. Additional dedicatory tablets on the wall of the Carroll Convention Center, near the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 136 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4, 5. submitted on June 2, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.
