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1909 Map of Central City

Name: 1909 Topographic Map of Central City
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Green River and Rough River dominate the landscape of west-central Kentucky, defining the serpentine boundaries between Ohio, McLean, and Muhlenberg counties. The river-and-rail economy of the early 20th century is on full display here, as the Illinois Central and Louisville and Nashville railroads converge at industrial hubs like Central City and South Carrollton. Away from the tracks and riverbanks, the terrain is marked by a dense network of rural infrastructure, including dozens of country churches and schoolhouses such as Worthington Chapel and Nollsingers School.

Before modern bridging, Kinchloe Ferry and Knotts Ferry served as vital transit points across the deep river bends. The map captures a moment when smaller settlements like Bremen, Island, and Ceralvo were active centers of community life, anchored by landmarks like Shavers Chapel and Track Lake. Researchers can trace the early industrial footprint of the Kentucky Department of Mines and Minerals, which collaborated on this 1907 survey to document the region's topography.