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ABOUT THE PLACE

About Owensboro

Owensboro, Kentucky, USA - Owensboro, Kentucky, USA - Radio Station W O M I, Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro, Daviess, KY

The first European descendant to settle in Owensboro was frontiersman William Smeathers or Smothers in 1797, for whom the riverfront park is named. The settlement was originally known as "Yellow Banks" from the color of the land beside the Ohio River. The Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered at what is today's Owensboro prior to departing on their famous travels. In 1817, Yellow Banks was formally established under the name Owensborough, named after Col. Abraham Owen. In 1893, the spelling of the name was shortened to its current Owensboro.
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VINTAGE OWENSBORO

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Owensboro, Kentucky, USA - Radio Station W O M I, Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro, Kentucky, USA
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Owensboro, Kentucky, USA - St. Stephens Cathedral
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Owensboro, Kentucky, USA - W. Second Street (Main Street)
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W. Second Street (Main Street)
GENEALOGY SHOP

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LOCAL HISTORY

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1854 - Owenborough
Owenborough, a thriving post-village, capital of Daviess county, Kentucky, is situated on the Ohio river, 155 miles below Louisville. The navigation is seldom obstructed either by ice or by low water below this place. Owenborough is the principal shipping port of the county, and is a place of active business. It contains a court house, 3 churches, an academy, and a branch bank. One news paper is published here. Pop. in 1853, 1600.
1895 - Owensborough
Owensborough, o'enz-btir-rüh, a city, the capital of Daviess co., Ky., is situated on the Ohio River, and on the Owensborough & Nashville Railroad, about 40 miles above Evansville, Ind., and 150 miles below Louisville. By land it is about 30 miles E. by S. of Henderson. It contains a court-house, 3 banks, a savings-bank, 3 newspaper offices, a college, 2 academies, 13 churches, 6 distilleries of whisky, 18 tobacco-stemmeries, a cigar-factory, 4 flouring-mills, 2 £ several machine-shops of the railroad, a foundry, and manufactures of chairs, furniture, and brooms. It is lighted with gas. Large quantities of tobacco and whisky are shipped here. Pop. in 1890, 9837.
1906
Owensboro, a city, capital of Daviess co., Ky., is situated on the Ohio River and on the Louisville and Nashville and other railroads, 40 miles SE. of Evansville, Ind. It has numerous distilleries of whiskey, flouring and other mills, michinery and cullulose-works, an electrical-supplies plant, etc. The tobacco interest is very large, the annual shipments being upward of 20,000,000 pounds. Coal and iron are mined. The Owensboro Female College and the St. Francis Academy are located here. Pop. in 1890, 9837; in 1900, 13,189.
1936 - August 14 - Rainey Bethea is hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky in the last public execution in the United States.
1938 - Distillery Burns, Loss Is $2,250,000
OWENSBORO, Ky., Nov. 12 (AP)—A wild fire raged out of control Saturday night at the Glenmore Distillery, one of the largest in the country.

Company officials had small hope of saving the plant from complete destruction.

An unofficial canvas of insurance men placed the loss already at $2,225,000.

Flames roared through three warehouses, the bottling plant and the company office and was enveloping the distillery building.

The plant covers four city blocks and employs 700 persons.
Dallas Morning News
Dallas, Texas
November 13, 1938
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Owensboro:
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum:

This is a must-visit for anyone interested in bluegrass music. Explore the history of bluegrass and country music through interactive exhibits, live performances, and memorabilia. They often host concerts, so check their schedule.

Smothers Park:

A beautiful riverfront park with a stunning waterfall feature, walking paths, and a playground. It's a great place for a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or simply enjoying the scenic Ohio River.

Riverfront Overlook:

For a breathtaking view of the Ohio River and the Owensboro skyline, head to the Riverfront Overlook. It's especially beautiful at sunset.

Owensboro Museum of Science and History:

This museum offers a variety of exhibits that showcase the history and culture of Owensboro and the surrounding region. It's both educational and entertaining.

Reid's Orchard:

A family-friendly destination with a petting zoo, playground, and a variety of seasonal activities like apple picking...
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GENEALOGY IN OWENSBORO

Discover YOUR Roots: Owensboro Ancestry

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LOCAL ANCESTORS

Ancestors Connected to Owensboro, Kentucky, USA

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Updated: 10/15/2023 9:25:10 PM
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