History of Owensboro, Kentucky in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 22, 2026

Owensboro, Kentucky, is the fourth-most populous city in the state and the county seat of Daviess County. Situated on U.S. Route 60 and Interstate 165, it lies about 107 miles southwest of Louisville and serves as the principal city of the Owensboro metropolitan area. Its population was 60,183 in 2020, with the metropolitan area estimated at 116,506. The Owensboro metropolitan area ranks as the sixth-largest in Kentucky and the seventh-largest population center when micropolitan areas are included.

1903: Stemmeries in Owensboro in 1903

In 1903, Owensboro was home to several stemmeries for tobacco processing.

1910: Ames Begins Manufacturing Automobiles in 1910

In 1910, Frederick A. Ames began manufacturing automobiles under the Ames brand name through his company, the Carriage Woodstock Company.

1912: Vincent Bendix Hired in 1912

In 1912, Ames hired industrialist Vincent Bendix, leading to the company's name change to Ames Motor Car Company.

1915: Ames Motor Car Company Ceases Production in 1915

Despite positive reviews, the Ames Motor Car Company ceased production of its own car model in 1915 and began manufacturing replacement bodies for Ford Model T vehicles.

1918: Kentucky Electrical Lamp Acquired in 1918

In 1918, the Kentucky Electrical Lamp Company was acquired by Kentucky Radio Company (Ken-Rad).

1922: Ames Transitions to Furniture Manufacturing in 1922

In 1922, the Ames company shifted its focus to furniture manufacturing and rebranded as Ames Corporation.

June 1932: Modern Welding Company Founded in June 1932

In June 1932, John G. Barnard founded the Modern Welding Company in Owensboro.

May 24, 1935: First Night Game in MLB History

On May 24, 1935, light bulbs manufactured by the Kentucky Electrical Lamp Company illuminated the first night game in Major League Baseball, between the Reds and Phillies at Cincinnati's Crosley Field.

August 14, 1936: Last Public Hanging in the United States

On August 14, 1936, Owensboro was the site of the last public hanging in the United States when Rainey Bethea was executed for rape and murder. The spectacle drew a large crowd and national media attention, leading Kentucky to abolish public executions shortly after.

1937: Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro Established in 1937

In 1937, Pope Pius XI established the Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro, spanning approximately the western third of Kentucky.

1945: Ken-Rad acquired by General Electric in 1945

In 1945, Kentucky Radio Company (Ken-Rad) was acquired by General Electric.

1948: Texas Gas Transmission Corporation Created in 1948

In 1948, Texas Gas Transmission Corporation was created through the merger of Memphis Natural Gas Company and Kentucky Natural Gas Corporation, with headquarters in Owensboro.

December 9, 1952: F3 Tornado Hits Owensboro on December 9, 1952

On December 9, 1952, an F3 tornado struck directly through Owensboro, injuring three people.

1954: City Manager Form of Government Since 1954

Owensboro has operated under a City Manager form of government since 1954.

1961: General Electric Introduces Compactron in 1961

In 1961, engineers at the General Electric plant in Owensboro introduced the Compactron family of vacuum tubes.

1970: Ames Corporation Sold in 1970

In 1970, the Ames Corporation, by then a furniture manufacturer, was sold to Whitehall Furniture.

1983: Texas Gas Bought by CSX Corp. in 1983

In 1983, Texas Gas was acquired by CSX Corp.

1987: GE acquired by MPD, Inc. in 1987

In 1987, General Electric was acquired by MPD, Inc.

1989: Texas Gas Bought by Transco Energy Corp. in 1989

In 1989, Texas Gas was acquired by Transco Energy Corp.

1995: Texas Gas Bought by Williams in 1995

In 1995, Texas Gas was acquired by Williams.

2003: Texas Gas Bought by Loews Corporation in 2003

In 2003, Texas Gas was acquired by Loews Corporation.

2006: Research Center Plans Announced in 2006

In 2006, plans were announced for a research center operated by the University of Louisville to be located at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center, a part of the Owensboro Medical Health System, to study how to make the first ever human papilloma virus vaccine, called Gardasil, from tobacco plants. U of L researcher Dr Albert Bennet Jenson and Dr Shin-je Ghim discovered the vaccine in 2006.

2006: Owensboro Oilers Champions in 2006

In 2006, the Owensboro Oilers were the KIT League's season champions.

2007: Owensboro Metropolitan Area Defined in 2007

According to the 2007 census, the Owensboro Metropolitan Area includes Daviess, Hancock, and McLean counties.

2007: Modern Welding Company's 75th Anniversary in 2007

In 2007, the Modern Welding Company celebrated its 75th anniversary.

2007: WFIE-TV Opens Bureau in Owensboro in 2007

In early 2007, NBC affiliate WFIE-TV opened a bureau in Owensboro to cover news on the Kentucky side of the Evansville television market.

2008: Owensboro Oilers Champion in 2008

In 2008, the Owensboro Oilers were the KIT League's playoff champions.

2010: Owensboro Census Data in 2010

According to the 2010 census, Owensboro had a population of 58,083 and 23,380 households with a population density of 2,999.1 people per square mile.

2013: All-America City Award in 2013

Owensboro was named an All-America City in 2013 and placed fourth on Area Development's Top 20 Southern Cities.

2013: Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Won Award in 2013

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum won the Governor's Award for Community Arts in 2013.

2018: Metropolitan Area Ranking in 2018

As of 2018, the Owensboro metropolitan area was the sixth largest in the state.

2020: 2020 Measurable Statistics

A breakdown of measurably significant statistics was made available in 2020.

2020: Religion Statistics From 2020

According to statistics from U.S. Religion Census data from 2020, approximately 63.9% of the county population is affiliated with a religious organization.