The Paducah Flood Wall Murals are a unique and singular attraction in Paducah, Ky. Since having a…read moreflood wall is necessary if the river floods, it might as well be decorative. Along this area of the Ohio river, the mural walls stretch out about 3 city blocks in length, with over 50 murals telling various stories of the Paducah area. Each is 14 feet high and various widths. There's a lot to learn by studying these gorgeous murals and the accompanying plaques. There are also a number of train cars the line a portion of the mural walls. Being a big fan of trains, I took my time meandering around this steal beats. It's easy to spend over an hour taking it all in. We were there on a weekend and there were a fair amount of people visiting and taking photos. The detail and the artistry for these murals is amazing. It's amazing to think how much time these murals, took, and the fact that they were all done by just two artists. I got educated as well. I had no idea there used to be a Coca-Cola® plant located in Paducah, much less the fact that it was in use for over 100 years! (sadly, it ceased operations in 2005). Visiting the Flood Mural Walls is something I didn't expect when we went to Paducah, but I'm glad we took the time.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Paducah,…read moreKentucky a Creative City in November 2013 for the City's important role in the connectivity of cultures through creativity. The first twenty-panel timeline was completed in 2001 and the last painting in the three block section was completed in 2010. It is absolutely fascinating. The flood control system is part of a concrete and earthen levee system that extends over 12 miles along the river. Here in Paducah, the concrete wall is 14 feet tall and includes 12 pump stations and 47 vehicular openings. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between August 1939 and July 1949. These works of art depict Paducah's rich history in more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals by renowned artist Robert Dafford and the Dafford Murals Team. Informational plaques are associated with each mural providing additional details about Paducah's history. [Review 16315 overall - 129 in Kentucky - 1822 of 2021.]

I am giving a 3-star because it is a brilliant idea, a beautiful building, and a well-maintained…read morespot but there is literally no visitor information available. I understand why they do not want the small building open but I would have assumed some outdoor brochure holders full of maps, lists of special events, or resources for how to find out more information. My first thought was that if they were worried about theft or vandalism to put up a poster in the window with a QR code on it - that way anyone with a smart phone (so, the majority of Americans at this point) could at least be directed to online resources (especially maps). We watched an amazing team of older women (presumably volunteers) lovingly decorate the spot for Christmas but this does make me think that digital support may not be on their radar. I would love to see the development of online scavenger hunts or other interactive tools. They could be created and maintained with little to no effort. I was here almost a year ago as well so I know that the lack of visitor materials is a pattern. I really hope to see this change and am looking forward to the growth of this AMAZING spot!

Located in a parking lot right next to the Flood Wall Murals, this marker points out that the Lewis…read moreand Clark expedition spent some time right here in Kentucky on their journey to explore the west. On the front of the marker, "Lewis and Clark, with the nucleus of the Corps of Discovery, stayed in present McCracken Co. in Nov. 1803 while traveling down the Ohio River on their journey to the Pacific. Clark returned in 1827 to establish Paducah. Over." On the reverse, "Nov. 11-13, 1803, Lewis and Clark stopped at Ft. Massac, Ill., near present-day Paducah and recruited men, including Indian interpreter George Drouillard. On Nov. 13, they camped in area of Metropolis Lake State Nature Preserve." The Lewis and Clark Expedition from August 31, 1803, to September 25, 1806, also known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, was the United States expedition to cross the newly acquired western portion of the country after the Louisiana Purchase. The Corps of Discovery was a select group of U.S. Army and civilian volunteers under the command of Captain Meriwether Lewis and his close friend Second Lieutenant William Clark. The expedition made its way westward, and crossed the Continental Divide of the Americas before reaching the Pacific Coast. [Review 16318 overall - 131 in Kentucky - 1825 of 2021.]

On a busy surface street in front of a business selling yard sheds, this marker points out the…read morehistory of the city of Paducah and McCracken County. There is parking nearby though not on the road. The front of the marker reads, "Paducah. McCracken county seat, founded by General William Clark, of Lewis and Clark Expedition, at confluence of Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Named for legendary Indian Chief Paduke. Home of Vice President Alben Barkley and birthplace of Irvin S. Cobb. First occupied in Civil War by General US Grant. Became supply base of his Mississippi River campaign. Great Atomic Energy Plant nearby." And the reverse, "McCracken County. Formed, 1824, from Hickman County. Named for Captain 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." This is marker number 840 and it was erected by the Kentucky Historical Commission. [Review 1233 of 2024 - 264 in Kentucky - 22256 overall]

I spotted this marker just off Paducah's Broadway and stopped to check it out…read more The marker is in good condition and there is parking nearby. The marker reads, "Site of a one-story frame store, Hummel's Gunshop. He came here in 1861. Federal soldiers occupying Paducah in Civil War brought their firearms to him for repair. When the Confederates raided the city, March, 1864, they looted his shop, but he had secreted best arms in his home. Hummel, continuing as a gunsmith, was granted a patent on a breech-loading firearm in 1881." As a firearms enthusiast, I am interested in the story here but there is little information online. [Review 16313 overall - 127 in Kentucky - 1820 of 2021.]

One of the many historical markers located along Paducah's Broadway, this one points out the…read morehistory of a Paducah resident. The marker reads, "Irvin Shrewsburg Cobb, 1876-1944. One of Paducah's famous sons. "A first-class humorist from a conversational gesture to a book wit who made all the world laugh with him." Author of more than sixty books, short story writer, recipient of O'Henry Award, movie actor, lecturer. Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, France, 1918. Paducah Rotary Club, sponsor." On line, there is more information. Cobb was educated in public and private elementary schools, and then entered William A. Cade's Academy intending to pursue a law career. When Cobb was 16, his father became an alcoholic, after the death of his grandfather. Forced to quit school and find work, Cobb began his writing career. Several of Cobb's stories were adapted as silent movies. He also wrote the screen titles for other movies, including the Jackie Coogan movie, Peck's Bad Boy (1921). With the advent of sound, more of his stories were adapted for the screen, including The Woman Accused (1933), featuring young Cary Grant. John Ford twice made movies based on Cobb's Judge Priest stories: Judge Priest (1934) featured Will Rogers in the title role. The Sun Shines Bright (1953) was based on his short stories "The Sun Shines Bright", "The Mob from Massac", and "The Lord Provides". [Review 16309 overall - 125 in Kentucky - 1815 of 2021.]

On the right side of South 3rd Street when heading north with the Ohio River not far away, this…read moremarker points out some of the industrial history of Paducah. There is not room to stop here so I was fortunate there were no vehicles behind me when I pulled over. The front of the marker reads, "Built here 1889 by Paducah Iron Co., 70 ft. high with a maximum inner diameter of 14 ft. Rated annual capacity 30,000 tons of iron, using coke fuel. Operations began in 1900, smelting ore from Lyon, Trigg, Livingston counties in Ky., and from Missouri. It was in blast intermittently until 1903, when the furnace ruptured. Razed 1907.' And on the reverse, "Iron Made in Kentucky. A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods." [Review 1234 of 2024 - 265 in Kentucky - 22257 overall]

This marker is located along Paducah's Broadway and points out the history of the city's name…read more It reads, "Paducah, only major Kentucky city with an Indian name, was named in honor of legendary Indian Chief Paduke by Gen. William Clark when he platted town in 1827. Village was first named Pekin. The Paducahs, Chief Paduke's sub-tribe of Chickasaw Indians, had lived and hunted in this area until land was taken by Jackson Purchase in 1818. Presented in Memory of Lee Anna Rhodes. Presented by James Rhodes." Paducah is the seat of McCracken County. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, halfway between St. Louis, Missouri, to the northwest and Nashville, Tennessee, to the southeast. According to the Wikipedia entry, authorities on the Chickasaw have since said that there was never any chief or tribe of that name, or anything like it. The Chickasaw language does not have related words. Instead, historians believe that Clark named the town for the Comanche people of the western plains. So that's interesting. [Review 16312 overall - 126 in Kentucky - 1819 of 2021.]

You've heard the story about buying the island of Manhattan for $24? Well, now you can learn…read moresomeone paid $5 for Paducah. This marker is located quite close to the river and it reads, "In 1827, Gen. Wm. Clark purchased 37,000 acres of land, including the site on which Paducah now stands, for $5. This land, part of a Revolutionary War grant to his brother, George Rogers Clark, was secured from George Woolfolk, of Louisville, who had been named administrator of George Rogers Clark's estate when he died. Marker presented by Hart's Bread, 1967." [Review 16314 overall - 128 in Kentucky - 1821 of 2021.]