April 21, 2024
Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 21)
By Simon J. Lau
Last night, we stayed in Paducah. Founded in 1827, the city began as a key trading post along the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. During the Civil War, it became a strategic hub thanks to its location near the Mississippi River and its rail connections. After the war, Paducah industrialized quickly, with railroads, tobacco, and textiles driving much of its growth.
Paducah’s Riverwalk is one of the city’s highlights, tracing the banks of the Ohio River. It stretches for several miles, serving as both a walking trail and a gathering space with benches, overlooks, and spots to watch the river traffic. Its most striking feature is the series of murals that vividly capture the city’s history. Below are a few of my favorites.
“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)”
Sponsored by: David and Sandra Long and Image Graphics, Inc.
Image courtesy of Paducah Wall to Wall and caption from the accompanying plaque.
“Through the depression, a struggling telephone industry crept along with advancing technology. In 1940 progress stopped. Most personnel and materials were used to win W.W.II. The local telephone system became outdated. In 1945 the boys came home and the Baby Boom started. Telephones were in demand. Paducah added switchboards and equipment creating one of the world’s best telephone systems. Installing and maintaining two copper wires from the switching office to each telephone in the community, plus adding many long distance trunk circuits to other towns, were unending tasks. Paducah was the hub for switching incoming and outgoing long distance calls for the region 24 hours a day to points worldwide. In 1979 the old cord switchboard was replaced by an electronic computer switching system. The Telephone Pioneers were created in 1927 and did volunteer projects to say, ‘We care about people and Paducah.’ This mural is dedicated to those who build, operate, and use the telephone system.”
Sponsored by: G. C. Carneal, a “Telephone Pioneer” in memory of Lottie Luigs Carneal
Image courtesy of Paducah Wall to Wall and caption from the accompanying plaque.
“In the early 1940s, Paducah-McCracken County was known as the strawberry capital of the world. Schools excused students to pick berries. Entire families were involved in this agricultural event. Freight cars carrying thousands of crates of berries were shipped from this region across the country. The climax of the season was the election of a Strawberry Queen and her loyal court. They were featured in a grand parade on Broadway. Because of World War II, the final festival was celebrated in June 1941. (From 1949-1941 photographs)”
Sponsored by: The Paducah Bank
Image courtesy of Paducah Wall to Wall and caption from the accompanying plaque.
As we were getting ready to leave, I came across a tree so perfectly balanced it was one of the most striking I’ve seen in years. Its branches spread evenly in all directions, forming a clean, symmetrical canopy over the parking lot.
After, we crossed the Ohio River into Metropolis, Illinois. In 1972, the city officially declared itself the “Hometown of Superman” and leaned into the theme with attractions and events, including the annual Superman Celebration that draws fans from around the country. It takes up several blocks and was fun to see, but I wouldn’t drive across the country just to attend. I would, however, drive across the river from Paducah to visit and snap a few photos.
When I arrived in Branson and parked my car, a couple came over and asked if I could move it so they could pull up a huge trailer carrying a decapitated VW Beetle. I agreed, though before I even had the chance to respond, the girl asked if I spoke English. 
I let it slide.
The couple turned out to be store owners with a gallery in Historic Branson, right in front of where I was parked. They had bought the Beetle for $400 from someone who’d been keeping it in their yard as garden art and planned to bring it inside their shop as a display. The roof had to be chopped off to fit it through the doorway, which at first surprised me, but they explained there was no other way. Honestly, I think it’ll make for a pretty cool centerpiece once it’s ready.
For dinner, I ordered fried catfish. I’ll admit, I came in craving gator but got talked into catfish instead. Big mistake, the meal was terrible. To make matters worse, I only learned afterward that I shouldn’t have shared my onion rings with Bruno. (Jean reminded me that onions can be toxic for dogs, though it mostly affects smaller ones.) I’ll be keeping a close eye on him tonight, but so far he seems fine.
The restaurant itself was unique, though. It was built mostly on stilts and backed right into a hill. We were also the only ones out on the patio, so it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. If only the food had matched the setting.
Finally, our route from Paducah and Metropolis to Branson (340 miles or 547 km).
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