Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Wacinton
(To have understanding)
July 12, 2007
1. Wacinton Marker
Dedicated May 26, 1985
to the City of Paducah and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Mayor Joe Viterisi
Commissioners
P. J. Grumley Harold Ford Robert Coleman Hal Cole
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Landmarks. A significant historical date for this entry is May 26, 1818.
Location. 37° 5.018′ N, 88° 38.13′ W. Marker is in Paducah, Kentucky, in McCracken County. It is on Park Avenue (Business U.S. 60) near Noble Park Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2915 Park Avenue, Paducah KY 42001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: West Kentucky Industrial College (approx. half a mile away); Temple Israel (approx. half a mile away); Linn Boyd (approx. 0.7 miles away); Oscar Turner (approx. 0.7 miles away); The 1937 Flood (approx. 0.7 miles away); Paducah Confederate Monument (approx. Ύ mile away); Westminster United Presbyterian Church
this page online
Regarding Wacinton. The artist donated the sculpture to the City of Paducah and the State of Kentucky in honor of the Native Americans who lived in the area before the Jackson Purchase in 1818. In 1972 the artist began creating a series of giant sculptures of Native Americans for every state in the country as a reminder of the Native Americans past and present difficulties. This sculpture is the 50th in the series, and Kentucky is the 45th state to receive one of the artist's works. The name "Wacinton" was suggested by St. Mary's High School student Jessica Dryden in a city-wide contest.
Also see . . . Peter Wolf Toth's Trail of the Whispering Giants. Peter "Wolf" Toth hand-carved Indians such as this for every U.S. state and several Canadian Provinces. The first one he carved was always donated to the State. The Trail of the Whispering Giants, as these sculptures are collectively known, are to honor the American Indians, who he felt were the victims of long abuse and injustice. His Trail of the Whispering Giants started in 1971 (California) and completed in 1988 (Hawaii).
Toth is insistent that his statues
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 7, 2024
2. Wide view Wacinton Marker and Woodcarving
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 7, 2024
3. Wacinton carved statue with stone base
February 11, 2006
4. Wacinton
February 11, 2006
5. Wacinton
Photographed by Michael Stroud, circa June 1991
6. Wacinton
Peter Wolf Toth Creation
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,212 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 16, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 4, 5. submitted on January 16, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6. submitted on January 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
