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

Paleo and Archaic Indians

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

1. Paleo and Archaic Indians Marker

Inscription. Evidence of Native Americans in the lower Ohio Valley includes the Paleo Indians, who lived in this area near the end of the last Ice Age, about 13,000 years ago. Often called Big Game Hunters, they were efficient, nomadic, hunters, fisherman, and gatherers who also made distinctive fluted projectile points.

Indians of the Archaic Tradition, around 3,000 years ago, were the first in the area to begin domesticating plants like goosefoot, sunflower, sump weed, marsh elder, pigweed, squash and gourds, and traded long distances for exotic resources like galena and copper. They were the first to live in permanent villages where they provided cemeteries for their deceased.

Erected by Sponsored by Bill and Meredith Schroeder.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 37° 5.291′ N, 88° 35.646′ W. Marker is in Paducah, Kentucky, in McCracken County. It is at the intersection of South Water Street and Broadway Street, on the left when traveling south on South Water Street. Located at the Broadway St entrance to Ohio River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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

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: Woodland and Mississippian Indians (here, next to this marker); First House in Paducah, Kentucky (a few steps from this marker); First Frame House in Paducah, Kentucky (a few steps from this marker); Chickasaw Tribe in Kentucky (a few steps from this marker); Federal Occupation of Paducah (a few steps from this marker); Historic River Front (a few steps from this marker); First County Seat - Braxton Small (a few steps from this marker); Iced Solid - Clear to Illinois! (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paducah.

Also see . . . The Paducah Wall to Wall Floodwall Mural Project. Renowned artist Robert Dafford and his team of muralists capture Paducah’s rich history in paintings on the city’s floodwall overlooking the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. (Submitted on October 25, 2011.)

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

2. Paleo and Archaic Indians Marker

Paleo and Archaic Indians three panels Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

3. Paleo and Archaic Indians three panels Mural

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

4. Paleo and Archaic Indians Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,192 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.