1821Government
== History ==
=== Early history and etymology ===
Paducah was first settled as "Pekin" around 1821 by European Americans James and William Pore.
1827History
The town was laid out by explorer and surveyor William Clark in 1827 and renamed Paducah.
1830Government
=== Incorporation, steamboats and railroads ===
Paducah was formally established as a town in 1830 and incorporated as a city by the state legislature in 1838.
1862History
On December 17, 1862, under the terms of General Order No.
1864Civil Rights
On March 25, 1864, Confederate Gen.
1924Architecture
In 1924 the Illinois Central Railroad began construction at Paducah of their largest locomotive workshop in the nation.
1927Architecture
The eleven million dollar project was completed in 1927 as the fourth-largest industrial plant in Kentucky.
1937Disaster
=== 1937 flood ===
In a far-reaching flood, on January 21, 1937, the Ohio River at Paducah rose above its 50-foot (15 m) flood stage, cresting at 60.8 feet (18.5 m) on February...
1938Infrastructure
The railroad became the largest employer in Paducah, having 1,075 employees in 1938.
1942History
Extremes in temperature range from 108 °F (42 °C) on July 17, 1942, and June 29, 2012, down to −15 °F (−26 °C) on January 20, 1985.
1943History
Paducah is also mentioned in the song "Paducah", sung by Benny Goodman and Carmen Miranda, from the 1943 musical film The Gang's All Here.
1948Architecture
Polk Brooks Stadium from its opening in 1948 until the KITTY League folded after the 1955 season.
1949History
The Chiefs competed in the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League from 1949 to 1950.
1950History
=== Enrichment uranium facility ===
In 1950, the U.S.
1951Architecture
Construction began in 1951 and the plant opened for operations in 1952.
1960Culture
Rockabilly Hall of Fame artists Ray Smith, whose recording of "Rockin' Little Angel" was a hit in 1960, and Stanley Walker, who played guitar for Ray Smith and others, grew up i...
1967Architecture
A nationally known rebuilding program for aging diesel locomotives from Illinois Central and other railroads began in 1967.
1969Education
In 1969, the Paducah Community College Indians won the National Junior College men's basketball championship.
1972Architecture
The Paducah International Raceway is a 3/8-mile motorsport racetrack built in 1972.
1986Culture
The shops became part of the Paducah and Louisville Railway in 1986.
1991Architecture
=== Quilt City ===
On April 25, 1991, the National Quilt Museum opened in downtown Paducah.
1994History
The bi-monthly magazine Paducah Life debuted in 1994 and continues publication today.
1997Crime
=== The Heath shooting ===
On December 1, 1997, 14-year-old Michael Carneal brought five loaded guns to Heath High School and shot a group of fellow students in the school's lo...
2000History
=== 2000 census ===
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,307 people, 11,825 households, and 6,645 families residing in the city.
2001Architecture
In recent years, Brooks Stadium hosted the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament (2001–2009) and the National Club Baseball Association World Series (2015 and 2016).
2003History
In May 2003, photographer Jim Roshan documented the painting of the Lewis and Clark Expedition mural during the America 24/7 project.
2004History
One of the images was used in the book Kentucky24/7, published in 2004.
2008Architecture
By 2008 the mural project was completed and being maintained.
2010History
=== 2010 census ===
As of the census of 2010, there were 25,024 people, 11,462 households, and 6,071 families residing in the city.
2011History
The dedication for the mural was held on National Scout Sunday, February 6, 2011.
2013Culture
The plant was closed in June 2013, and the Department of Energy began the process of decontaminating and shutting down the facilities.
2014Education
It has a 43,000-square-foot (4,000 m2) facility located on a 23-acre (9.3 ha) campus adjacent to WKCTC that was opened in 2014.
2017Architecture
In 2017, the city of Paducah opened a 340-foot transient boat dock that provides space for transient boaters to tie up for a few hours or several nights, increasing tourism in t...
2018Disaster
Paducah is prone to river flooding from the Ohio River, and as of late February 2018, the river had been expected to crest at 49 feet on February 28.
2020History
== Demographics ==
=== 2020 census ===
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,137 people, 11,330 households, and 5,561 families residing in the city.
2022History
In 2022, the Kentucky Parole Board denied his bid for parole.
2025Economy
In August 2025, General Matter, an American uranium enrichment company, signed a lease with the U.S.
2026Economy
In January 2026, General Matter received a $900 million contract from the U.S.