City Market During Flood | Market House Museum

John Lawson, railroad engineer extraordinaire, was born in 1805. He emigrated to America in 1829. He became the very first Railroad Engineer in the United States at the age of twenty nine! Lawson arrived in Paducah about 1840. He owned steamboats and went by the name of Captain Jack. He was later a Confederate soldier during the Civil War with the 3rd Kentucky CSA...at the advanced age of 56! Years later, President Grover Cleveland honored him with a political appointment; that of the acting engineer for the erection of the Federal Building in Paducah, located on Broadway! A lifelong Democrat, Lawson's first presidential vote was for Andrew Jackson, and his last, for William McKinley. Lawson died in 1901.


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	Archive Photos The city market during the flood of 1937 as seen from the Kentucky avenue side looking toward Broadway. Notice the cupola in the center of the building that's now missing. And Jones hardware can be seen on the left of the street. Another proof that mother nature will do what she wants. » Thumbnail	John Lawson, railroad engineer extraordinaire, was born in 1805. He emigrated to America in 1829. He became the very first Railroad Engineer in the United States at the age of twenty nine! Lawson arrived in Paducah about 1840. He owned steamboats and went by the name of Captain Jack. He was later a Confederate soldier during the Civil War with the 3rd Kentucky CSA...at the advanced age of 56! Years later, President Grover Cleveland honored him with a political appointment; that of the acting engineer for the erection of the Federal Building in Paducah, located on Broadway! A lifelong Democrat, Lawson's first presidential vote was for Andrew Jackson, and his last, for William McKinley. Lawson died in 1901.