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Paducah native, Fate Clifford “River” Marable (1890 – 1947), is often referred to as the father of Riverboat Jazz.

Former Paducahean Lolita Amiet was a soprano singer who traveled the United States performing in numerous vaudeville and concert groups. - Nathan Lynn, Local and Family History

Harry Lookofsky was a violinist whose career spanned numerous genres of American music during the 20^th century. Born in Paducah, Lookofsky went on to become a member of the St.

It’s one of our persistent local legends… that famed English author Charles Dickens actually came to Paducah in the 1850’s!

While best known as a Midwest big band leader, Jack Staulcup was also a musician, vocalist, recording artist, composer, businessman, and union advocate.

Pianist, Ida Mae Maples was one of Chicago's premier female band leaders during the 1920s.

Paducah native Boyd Atkins was a musician, composer, and band leader, whose career began playing violin in the original riverboat jazz band of Fate Marable.

At the beginning of October 1903, the Paducah Daily News-Democrat announced a unique contest: BRING US THE BIGGEST TURKEY AND WIN a $10 GOLD PIECE.

During the first week of October 1906, Paducahans saw something they probably hadn’t seen before. Pumpkins, scores of them, floating down the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers!

Paducahan Matty Matlock was a jazz musician and arranger who performed with Bob Crosby and his Bob Cats, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and more.

This weekend marks the start of the

The historical marker honoring Anna I. Baker holds a prominent place on Kentucky Avenue, right across the street from the Carson Center. Even still, a lot of Paducahans may not recognize the name.

So, who was Anna I. Baker?

July 2025 marks the 100^th anniversary of the Scopes Monkey Trial at which Paducah-born John Scopes was tried in Tennessee courts for the crime of teaching evolution in his classroom.

Rube Elrod was a multi-instrumentalist, remembered as Ballard County’s best known old-time fiddler. He developed his unique style of playing from Blind Joe Mangrum and Ed Ewing.

Until 1910, the citizens of Paducah were free to shoot off fireworks at will, essentially wherever and whenever they pleased.