Historical Maps of Kentucky

The collection houses all types of historical maps of Kentucky, including maps of cities, geological maps, topographic maps, and thematic maps. Below is a small overview of what can be found in the collection.

Map #1

1905 State Map of Kentucky

Here is a classic example of a state map with each county shaded a different color.

1905 Map of Kentucky

State maps can provide a ton of detail about the placement of railroads, post offices, the evolution of county boundaries, changing place names, and other features. Below you can see a section of the map that highlights the different town names and county boundaries.

Map #2

1855 Map of Lexington

This is one of the most frequently consulted maps in the collection.

It depicts the city before the Civil War and includes some landowner names.

Here we see Winslow Street intersecting with Rose Street.

If you drag the cursor to move the map, can you get your bearings? What is presently located where the Fair Ground is found?

It's the University of Kentucky. Winslow is now know as Ave. of Champions/Euclid Ave.

Moving to downtown, buildings are outlined and we can see a street called Mulberry Street.

Examining the map, what is Mulberry called today?

It is now Limestone.

The changing road names of Euclid and Limestone illustrate the importance of doing additional research when consulting older maps to verify that you have found the right location.

A final interesting feature of this map is its depiction of the historical waterway - Town Fork of Elkhorn - that ran through the city.

As you move across the map, you can see the river as it snakes through the city.

Map #3

1871 Bird's Eye View Map

An example of a "Bird's Eye View" or panoramic style of map. This was a popular form of mapmaking in the late 19th Century.

It offers a picturesque and vibrant view of a city.

This style was sometimes used to advertise a city to developers and investors.

Zooming in highlights tiny numbers next to some of the buildings.

The Legend

Consulting the legend, we can see that #1 is the Court House on Main Street.

Can you find #23 on the map? Based on the architecture what type of building do you think it is?

It is the African Baptist Church.

Finally, the map also highlights some of the prominent features of the city, including Kentucky University and Hocker's Female College.

Map #4

Flood map of Louisville, Ky., crest of flood January 27, 1937.

In 1937, the Ohio River flooded and caused considerable damage to many areas. Louisville was heavily impacted. Below is a map that highlights the depth of water across parts of the city. Use the swiper in the middle to compare the historic map with a current one of Louisville.

Map #5

1894 Sanborn Maps of Distilleries

Some of the most important items in the collection are the Sanborn maps.

The Sanborn Fire Insurance Company produced detailed maps of cites and industries for insurance purposes.

In producing these maps, they created an important historical record.

The collection houses Sanborns for many Kentucky cites and there is also a collection for distilleries.

When examining a Sanborn map, you'll notice a lot of writing and different colors. These colors indicate the type of building material.

After consulting the legend, you can tell that the buildings pictured were made of wood frame (yellow) and brick (pink).

The Sanborn maps also highlight features like the placement of security guards.

Here you see some of the unique features of distilleries like the Mash Floor, the Fermenting Tubs, and the Grain Elevator.

Maps #6 & #7

1954 and 1967 Topographic Maps of Eddysville

Below are two topographic maps that show the same area. The one on the left is from 1954 and the one on the right is from 1967. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dammed the Cumberland River in 1966, so if you compare the two maps, you can see how the landscape was radically changed.

Can you find Eddyville on the 1954 map? What happens to it?

This is just a sample of the types of Kentucky maps housed in the collection. If you are curious about specific areas, please feel free to reach out to see what is available.

1905 Map of Kentucky

The Legend