1934 Map of Cynthiana

About this map

The South Fork Licking River carves a dramatic, winding path through the Bluegrass landscape of Central Kentucky, dictating the development of Cynthiana and its surrounding rural townships. Surveyed in the late 1920s, this area shows a dense network of local institutions and small settlements such as Leesburg and Shawhan that served a thriving agricultural economy. The map reveals the intricate social fabric of the era through its numerous rural schools, including Tricum Sch and Sycamore Sch, alongside spiritual centers like Dutch Ch and Mt Carmel Ch. Transport is anchored by the Louisville and Nashville railroad, which parallels the river and connects the county seat to outlying points like Poindexter and Lair. Small-scale commerce and family history are evident in labels like Colbys Store and the curious place name Hells Halfacre, offering a detailed look at Harrison and Bourbon counties before modern highway expansion.