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

Broadway, Paducah's Main Street

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

1. Broadway, Paducah's Main Street Marker

Inscription. This scene shows Broadway, Paducah's main street, in the 1940's when the downtown area was the center for the community's retail, business, and entertainment activities. Such downtown landmarks as the Guthrie Building, 1937 Post Office, Palmer House Hotel, Citizens Bank Building, and Columbia Theater are depicted. Cast-iron storefronts, manufactured by local foundries, remain from the earlier Victorian era when downtown Paducah experienced enormous economic growth and prosperity. (From a 1940's postcard)

Erected by Sponsored by: David and Sandra Long and Image Graphics, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 37° 5.349′ N, 88° 35.683′ W. Marker is in Paducah, Kentucky, in McCracken County. It is at the intersection of North Water Street and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north on North Water Street. 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: The Telephone System (here, next to this marker); Paducah 1937 Flood (here, next to this marker); Flanking the Statue of Chief Paduke (a few steps from this marker); Strawberry Capital of the World

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(a few steps from this marker); Illinois Central 2613 (a few steps from this marker); 1861 Paducah Chain (within shouting distance of this marker); Barkley/Cobb Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire Station #5 at 17th and Broadway (within shouting distance of 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 November 16, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Broadway Street Marker & Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

2. Broadway Street Marker & Mural

Broadway, Paducah's Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

3. Broadway, Paducah's Main Street

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

4. Broadway, Paducah's Main Street

Columbia Theater on Broadway Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

5. Columbia Theater on Broadway Street

The Paducah Wall to Wall Floodwall Mural Project image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011

6. The Paducah Wall to Wall Floodwall Mural Project

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,345 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 14, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.