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National Register of Historic Places listings in McCracken County, Kentucky facts for kids

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Map of Kentucky highlighting McCracken County
Location of McCracken County in Kentucky

Welcome to McCracken County, Kentucky! This area is full of amazing old buildings and places that are super important to history. These special spots are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a hall of fame for buildings and areas that tell a big part of America's story.

In McCracken County, there are 32 different places and areas that have made it onto this important list. Each one has a unique history, from old homes to churches and even a school. Let's explore some of these cool historic sites!

Historic Homes and Famous People

Many of the places on the National Register are old homes, some of which belonged to famous people.

The Angles: Home of a Vice President

Imagine living in a house that once belonged to a Vice President of the United States! That's the story of The Angles. This house was the home of Alben W. Barkley, who was Vice President from 1949 to 1953. It's located on Alben W. Barkley Drive, which is named after him.

  • Address: Alben W. Barkley Dr. near 40th St., Paducah
  • Listed: July 19, 1976

Anderson-Smith House: A Unique Welcome Center

The Anderson-Smith House is another special home. Today, it's known as Whitehaven and serves as Kentucky's welcome center for visitors. It's the only historic house in the entire United States that's used as a state welcome center! Inside, you can even see furniture that belonged to Vice President Alben Barkley.

  • Address: Lone Oak Rd., Paducah
  • Listed: March 1, 1984

Tilghman-Woolfolk House: A Historic Residence

The Tilghman-Woolfolk House is another beautiful old home in Paducah. It has been recognized for its historical importance.

  • Address: 631 Kentucky Ave., Paducah
  • Listed: August 13, 1998

Mayor David A. Yeiser House

The Mayor David A. Yeiser House was once the home of Paducah's Mayor David A. Yeiser. It's a great example of the historic homes in the area.

  • Address: 533 Madison St., Paducah
  • Listed: March 7, 1973

Important Public Buildings and Structures

Beyond homes, many public buildings and structures are also listed for their historical value.

Market House: A Community Hub

The Market House in Paducah has been a central gathering place for a very long time. Markets are places where people buy and sell goods, and this building played a big role in the community's daily life.

  • Address: S. 2nd St. between Broadway and Kentucky Ave., Paducah
  • Listed: June 19, 1973

Grace Episcopal Church: A Place of Worship

The Grace Episcopal Church is a beautiful historic church in Paducah. Churches often have long histories and are important parts of a community's heritage.

  • Address: 820 Broadway, Paducah
  • Listed: March 16, 1976

Hotel Irvin Cobb: A Grand Old Hotel

The Hotel Irvin Cobb was once a grand hotel, a place where travelers and important guests would stay. Old hotels often have amazing architecture and stories from the past.

  • Address: Broadway and 6th St., Paducah
  • Listed: August 24, 1978

Hotel Metropolitan: A Landmark for Travelers

The Hotel Metropolitan is another significant hotel. It played an important role, especially for African American travelers during a time when many places were segregated. It offered a safe and welcoming place to stay.

  • Address: 724 Oscar Cross Ave., Paducah
  • Listed: April 12, 2002

Masonic Temple: A Historic Meeting Place

The Masonic Temple is a building used by the Masons, a fraternal organization. These buildings often have unique designs and serve as important community centers.

  • Address: 501-505 S. 7th St., Paducah
  • Listed: December 4, 2002

People's First National Bank and Trust Company Building

This building housed a major bank, showing the economic history and growth of Paducah. Banks are often built to look strong and important, reflecting their role in the community.

  • Address: 300 Broadway, Paducah
  • Listed: August 11, 1980

St. Francis DeSales Roman Catholic Church

Another beautiful church on the list, the St. Francis DeSales Roman Catholic Church is recognized for its historical and architectural value.

  • Address: 116 S. 6th St., Paducah
  • Listed: April 16, 1979

Augusta Tilghman High School: An Important School Building

The Augusta Tilghman High School building served as a place of learning for many years. Schools are vital to a community's development and history.

  • Address: 401 Walter Jetton Boulevard, Paducah
  • Listed: April 3, 1995

Union Station School: A School for Change

The Union Station School has a particularly important history. It was a school specifically for black children until 1966, when schools in the area became integrated (meaning students of all races could attend together). This building represents a significant time in the fight for equal rights.

  • Address: 3138 Flagman Dr., Paducah
  • Listed: August 19, 2011

Historic Districts: Entire Neighborhoods with History

Sometimes, it's not just one building that's historic, but an entire area or neighborhood. These are called "historic districts."

Jefferson Street-Fountain Avenue Residential District

This district includes several streets and avenues, showing how homes and neighborhoods developed over time in Paducah. It's like a snapshot of how people lived in the past.

  • Address: Jefferson and Madison Sts., Broadway, Fountain Ave., and Harahan Boulevard, Paducah
  • Listed: July 14, 1982

Lower Town Neighborhood District

The Lower Town Neighborhood District is another important area. It's roughly bounded by Park Avenue and Jefferson, 5th, and 9th Streets. Walking through this district is like stepping back in time.

  • Address: Roughly bounded by Park Ave. and Jefferson, 5th, and 9th Sts., Paducah
  • Listed: March 15, 1982

Paducah Downtown Commercial District

This district covers the heart of downtown Paducah, including many businesses and buildings that show the city's commercial history.

  • Address: Roughly bounded by 7th, 1st, Clark, and Monroe Sts., Paducah
  • Listed: April 20, 1982

Paducah Market House District

This district surrounds the historic Market House, showing the area that grew up around this important community center.

  • Address: 2nd St. between Broadway and Kentucky Ave., Paducah
  • Listed: April 3, 1978

Wallace Park Neighborhood Historic District

The Wallace Park Neighborhood Historic District is another residential area recognized for its historical character.

  • Address: Roughly bounded by Buckner Ln., Maple Ave., Forest Circle, and Lone Oak Rd., Paducah
  • Listed: February 22, 2012

Other Notable Historic Sites

Archaeological Site 15McN51: The Reed Site

This isn't a building, but an archaeological site! It's also known as the "Reed Site" and is located under the Interstate 24 bridge over the Ohio River. Archaeological sites are places where scientists study the remains of past human activity, like old tools or settlements.

  • Address: Under the Interstate 24 bridge over the Ohio River, Paducah
  • Listed: July 11, 1985

Confederate Monument in Paducah

Monuments are structures built to remember important people or events. This monument is located in Oak Grove Cemetery.

  • Address: Oak Grove Cemetery, west of the junction of Park Ave. and 13th St., Paducah
  • Listed: July 17, 1997

Lloyd Tilghman Memorial

Another memorial, this one honors Lloyd Tilghman and is located in Lange Park.

  • Address: Lange Park, Madison St. between 16th and 19th Sts., Paducah
  • Listed: July 17, 1997

Paducah Coca-Cola Bottling Plant

This building was once where Coca-Cola was bottled for the area. It's a cool piece of industrial history!

  • Address: 3121 Broadway, Paducah
  • Listed: July 30, 2013

Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Railway Office and Freight House

This building was part of the railway system, which was super important for transporting goods and people in the past.

  • Address: 300 S. 3rd St., Paducah
  • Listed: July 17, 1979

Shawnee Steam Plant

The Shawnee Steam Plant is a large industrial facility that generates electricity. It's recognized for its historical significance in power production.

  • Address: 7900 Metropolis Lake Rd., West Paducah
  • Listed: August 4, 2016

These are just some of the many fascinating places in McCracken County that are preserved because of their historical importance. Each one helps us understand the past and how the community has grown and changed over time.

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