Hickory (also, Hickory Grove) is a census-designated place in Graves County, Kentucky, United States., which is located north of Mayfield and 18 miles (29 km) south of Paducah in far western Kentucky.Hickory was laid out in 1856 along the tracks of Illinois Central Gulf railroad, and named for the large hickory trees dotting the landscape. A post office called Hickory Grove was established in 1858, and the name of the post office was designated Hickory in 1914.