Paducah Kentucky

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This is my first post so hope I don't screw it up too badly. Paducah is a small town located on the Ohio River in Western Kentucky. The population is now around 25000 as many people have left for the surrounding suburbs. When I lived ibn Paducah and where I graduated from high school there were several thousand more residents. The downtown area of Paducah used to be a thriving retail area in the 1950s and 1960s however with the edition oif a large mall west of town the area began to see many store closings over the next few decades and now while there are some preservation efforts underway the downtown area is not one for shopping. There is a very nice downtown arts center theater which occasionally has some name stars appear. This has been a real plus for the downtown area and worth a visit if you are traveling through the area. Each year for many years there has been a nation Quilt Show and in September there is a Bar B Q on the River in the downtown area. High school sport teams in the past were powerful but generally not anymore. The flood-wall was built after the last devastating flood in 1937 which flooded the downtown area and wen for many blocks past downtown. With newer dams along the Ohio River that is no longer a threat. The floodwall has now been painted with a number of murals and these are certainly worth a visit as the murals diplict the growth of Paducah and picture many historical landmarks some of which no longer exist. About a half dozen blocks from downtown is a developing area know as the Arts District. Some old houses have been preserved while others are currently under renovation. Paducah has not always preserved older property and a drive throughout the town will find many vacate lots as houses and buildings have been torn down. The mighty Illinois Central Railroad shops and hospital once stood in the heart of Paducah. It is now nothing more than a skeleton however a drive by when passing though town is worth while.The Paducah water front has been neglected for many years even though tax dollars have been available for a nice site on the banks of the Ohio River. Not much to see there these days. Many of the buildings in downtown now house antique stores , restaurants or other retail stores. OK to drive by but not a whole lot from a shopping standpoint. The old Tilghman High School building is now an apartment complete and nothign to view. The church across the street from the high school no longer exist.

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Photos

Old Red Front Grocery
This building housed the old Ref Front Grocery store, one of four located in Paducah during the 1950s/60s

Oaklawn Baptist Church
Oak lawn Baptist Church located just outside the city limits of Paducah

Washington Junior High
Washington Junior High was one of three junior high schools located about 10 blocks from downtown

Red Front Grocery in downtown
Building was across the street from the Market in downtown Paducah at 2nd and Kentucky Ave.

Franklin Junior High
For many years this building was Franklin Junior High, one of three junior high schools in Paducah. The school was later renamed Cooper Elementary and since this picture has no longer housed a school. Iy is located on 6th Street in Paducah.

East Baptist Church
This building used to be East Baptist Church located on Clements Street in Paducah. It has since relocated.

Floodwall Paintings
Market House is located on Second Street between Kentucky Avenue and Broadway. In the 1950s and 1960s this was a very active part of downtown Padcuah as fresh vegetables and meats were sold by may vendors. The building had no air conditioning and thus was very hot during the summer time. The building now houses a theater and some tourist information.

Firestation
A fire station and horse drawn fire wagon

Floodwall Paintings
Horses and a dog drink from a public fountain in Paducah. I don't recall where this fountain was located.

Floodwall Paintings
Painting of one of the steam engines, many of which may have been repaired at the Illinois Central Shops located on Kentucky Ave.

Floodwall Paintings of Steam Engine
Steam engines were a common sight around Paducah in the middle of the 20th century as they had repairs done at the Illinois Central Shops located on Kentucky Avenue not far from downtown.

Strawberry Harvest
This is a painting of strawberries being harvested on a farm in the area. Padcuah had a large strawberry harvest and during the season shipped several carloads of strawberrys from Union Station. Just across the street from Union Station was a strawberry canning factory where jelly and preserves were made.

Floods of 1937
The flood waters in 1937 covered all of downtown and stretched out many blocks form downtown. This painting shows how deep the floodwater rose in downtown.

Floodwall Paintings
This is a painting of Paducah's Main Street around the 1950s looking from the 6th Street intersection toward the river.

Floodwall Painting Telephone Operators
There were many telephone operators employed in Paducah during the 1940s and 1950s. One of the ads invited high school girls to come to work at the telephone company and enjoy a career as a telephone operator.

Riverboats
Several riverboats can be seen on the river as mules and their wagons pull cargo up the river bank into town.

Floodwall Painting
This painting shows soem of the old churches around the town

Floodwall Painting
A painted map of the city of Paducah looking from the river toward Paducah.

Comments

[Doug McClure]

Amazing town
Paducah is such a beautiful town and it is such a blessing to live and work here with such beautiful and unique people. Even though it's been over a year since you posted this, thanks for sharing. -Doug www.kyfb.com/mccracken/broadway/doug-mcclure

[texaswillie]

Paducah, KY ---Thanks
Doug---Thanks for your review and comments.

[Jack Smith]

Washington Jr. High
I graduated from the last class at Washington before they closed it. I was on the football team and still have my letter sweater with the big orange W, the 1952 city championship patch and year bar. I joined the Air Force, retired to South Carolina after 20 years and still live there. I am 72 years old and not getting younger. I wonder if there is a historical society that would like to have the sweater. I have a brother, Jamie Smith, that lives at 4330 Cold Springs Rd, W. Paducah. If interested, please let me know.

[Pam Hale]

Need help with any information from the later 40s and early 50s paducah area
Do you happen to recall a restaurant in the Paducah area named Seas Breeze? It might have been nearer Mayfield. My grandfather owned it and family cannot help me find any info or possible photos. Would be interested to know if you remember this place and if so, what you remember about it and the exact location. Thank you in advance.

[texaswillie]

SeaBreeze
Yes---I do recall the place. As I recall it was a tavern. I dod not have any pictures of it. If I am not mistaken that establishment was located on the old highway between Paducah and Mayfield. I will check and see if I can a more precise location and get back with you.

[texaswillie]

To Pam Hale
Seay’s Breeze was a supper club/tavern/bar located close to Viola, Kentucky, a small community between Paducah and Mayfield on the old US 45. The new US 45 was built serval years ago just west of the old US45. I was never in the establishment however I worked as a Ky State Police radio operator at the Viola Post in the last 1950s. I recall passing the establishment everyday. I do not have any photos. This is all the info I have on that establishment.

[stephen c. webb]

paducah the town that is dying year by year
I had to leave due to no work, no money: Mark Twain said it over 100 years ago : "He hoped he was in Kentucky when the end of the world came as Kentucky was 5 years behind the rest of the world. I have sent emails to city leaders suggesting ways to lure business there. Hattisburg, Mississippi, is not much bigger than Paducah and has actually lured Ca. business's there. Too bad there is very little vision to every be more than a river town .

[stephen c. webb]

paducah the town that is dying year by year
I had to leave due to no work, no money: Mark Twain said it over 100 years ago : "He hoped he was in Kentucky when the end of the world came as Kentucky was 5 years behind the rest of the world. I have sent emails to city leaders suggesting ways to lure business there. Hattisburg, Mississippi, is not much bigger than Paducah and has actually lured Ca. business's there. Too bad there is very little vision to every be more than a river town .

[Donna]

Southside Paducah
Hello, I'm trying to find more information on a row of houses located along the 1100 block of S. 6th street back in the 50's. I recall the name, Smith Addition?? Thoni's Gas Station was across the street or nearby. Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

[Joanne]

Old Paducah Tilghman High school
The building pictured is actually Augusta Tilghman High School, it was not formally named Paducah Tilghman until it was moved to the building on Washington. The building did house Jetton Jr High for several years. Also, the school shown as DT Cooper was not actually old Franklin, it was mostly demolished before the new school was built. No big thing, just thought you might want to know.