Along the great rivers of America you will find big cities — and small towns. Some in decay, some booming. Starting in the 1830’s, through much of the 19th century, the rivers, the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Ohio, the Kentucky, the Tennessee and many others, were thick with riverboat traffic. It was the golden age of the paddlewheel — run on steam — shipping all sorts of things to all sorts of places. The crops and raw materials produced and pulled from all over the center of the country, would end up in New Orleans. But those riverboats would come back filled with many other things. Through much of the century, communities were springing up all along the river to support and benefit from this water highway.

Paducah is one example — founded at the place where the Ohio and Tennessee rivers come together. Even today you find the waterfront crowded with tugs and barges. But with the arrival of trains, many river towns declined in the 20th century. Paducah was no exception. Yet this community has found some winning solutions to help survive the changes progress brings. Suddenly tourism is big business here. It began with preservation of the old buildings. You will find some wonderful old architecture  in this community, saved from the wrecking ball.

After the great flood of 1937 ravaged the community, large flood walls were installed along the river to protect the downtown from future high water.  But it not only blocked the view of the river, the walls were an ugly eyesore.  Necessary, but not a thing of beauty.

But Like so many other river towns, Paducah turned the eyesore into a cement canvas. Called Paducah Wall to Wall, they have turned the riverfront back into the colorful place it once was. Artist Robert Dafford and his team painted a series of murals — 30 panels —  that tell the story of Paducah, the river, and the surrounding region, and have become a must see spot.

At the Inland Waterways Museum, you learn about the river and the days of the paddleboat — and can even work in the simulator — taking the controls of one of the river tugs.

Perhaps the cities biggest tourist draw — based on seeing all the tour buses — is the National Quilt Museum. Here thousands of people come to see modern quillwork. The stunning colors and creative patters are not your grandmothers quilts. It’s why they call this old historic town on the banks of the Ohio River, the city of crafts and folk art.