Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “History”
On February 17, 1956, Eastern Air Lines Flight 156, a Martin 404 N 445A, flipped at the Owensboro Airport on its way from Evansville. The flight, under the command of Captain Robert L. Johnson, was making a landing attempt in challenging weather conditions, characterized by a low cloud ceiling and poor visibility due to rain and fog. During its final …
This post summarizes a Messenger-Inquirer article from 1953 written by Charlotte Baumgarten. Frederica Street The article explored the origins of street names in Owensboro, Kentucky. It noted that the city’s first street was named after a girl, but historical accounts varied regarding her identity. Some believed she was Frederica Ross, the daughter of a prominent landowner, while others speculated that …
In October of 1912, Owensboro witnessed the grand opening of the Empress Theatre, which was celebrated as one of the finest photoplay houses in the region. The theater was designed to meet the highest standards of modern motion picture venues at the time, boasting features such as perfect ventilation, comfortable seating, and state-of-the-art picture projection. With a seating capacity of …
On Dec. 30, 1816, the plat of the proposed town of Rossboro was recorded. Twelve streets were laid out and most still have the same names today. It was named for David Ross who owned land where the town was located. He and his partner, John May, donated 80 acres for the new town that was to be the seat …
On this day in 1811, the county’s namesake, Joseph Hamilton Daveiss was killed by Indians in the Battle of Tippecanoe. By a typing mistake in enrolling the bill to create the county, the name was spelled “Daviess” and stuck. He was born in 1774 in Virginia, admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1795, and was US District Attorney for Kentucky. …
On this day in 1943, Owensboro-native and commander of the submarine USS Wahoo(SS-238), “Mush” Morton goes down with his ship near the Japanese island of Hokkaido. He was the commander of this submarine on it’s 3rd thru 7th patrols. Initially, he was assigned the highly dangerous task of penetrating the Sea of Japan and was reported ‘missing in action’ in December …
Faith Tool & Die started in a double garage at 3006 Frederica St in June of 1946 as a one-man operation. In 1951, the company built its first plant at 1140 Moseley St. It was incorporated on April 1, 1952 and owners listed as George Faith Sr., and his two sons, George Jr. and Charles. Charles bought out his brother …
On Sept 12, 1928, the Ohio River Lock & Dam #46 at the present day English Park officially opened and the steamer “Shawnee” was the first boat to pass through. Surveying by the US Army Corps of Engineers began in 1910 looking for a suitable location. Construction took five years, beginning in August 1923 at a cost of $2,000,000. With …
Did you know… this old well behind Bethabara Baptist Church in Habit was dug by David Miller in 1859. He was paid $11 for his 10 days of work. The well supplied water to the community until water lines were installed in the 1960’s. More info on Bethabara Baptist Church can be found here: https://wiki.historyofowensboro.com/index.php/Bethabara_Baptist_Church
Here’s a partial list of some of the “first things” that took place in Owensboro. First Home A log cabin built by Bill Smothers somewhere between 1797-1798. First Organ Used in Church The first organ used in church was at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church on May 22, 1849. Note: An article from Aug 14, 1927 says Cumberland Presbyterian at St …
