McCracken County, Kentucky Bicentennial Edition

Since the early 1800s, when pioneers came to explore the Jackson Purchase and the permanent settlement of Pekin (later changed to Paducah) was established at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, the area that would become McCracken County has been a center for both agriculture and business, beautiful homes and rich traditions, a place where people are known for hard work, steadfast faith, and family values.

To celebrate the county’s 200th Anniversary in 2025, the McCracken County Fiscal Court is proud to announce a new comprehensive historical book of the county, its people and communities, featuring hundreds of photographs throughout the years.

This hardbound, library quality 8.5 x 11-inch coffee-table volume will be printed on heavy-weight gloss paper for superior photo reproduction, and beautifully bound in a rich leatherette cover with the McCracken County seal stamped in gold foil. Contents include:

• McCracken County Historical Timeline
• Early Settlement, The Purchase, and Establishment of the county
• Cities, Towns, Communities, and Neighborhoods
• Transportation, including Rivers, Railroads, Roads and Bridges
• Agriculture and Farming
• Business, Industry, and Energy
• Military and War
• Government, Politics, and Local Media
• Medicine and Hospitals
• Civil Infrastructure and Public Safety
• Religion, Education, and Schools
• Sports and Recreation, Arts, and Entertainment
• Architecture, Historic Homes and Sites
• Civil Organizations and Community Leaders
• Traditions, Customs, and Local Culture
• Special Pages featuring local businesses, churches, and tributes
• Hundreds of photographs depicting county life and events from the 1800s-2025
• Indexed, plus much more!

McCracken County accepting content for bicentennial book