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1952 Map of Ford

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Ford
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Kentucky River winds sharply through this corner of Clark, Madison, and Fayette counties, serving as both a geographic boundary and a center for local transport and recreation. Along its banks, the map captures the transition from traditional river infrastructure to mid-century leisure, featuring the industrial Lock No 10 and Memorial Bridge alongside the public spaces at Boonesboro Beach. The surrounding plateau is dotted with small agricultural settlements like Athens, Ford, and Locust Grove, each connected by a dense network of local roads that lead to numerous family burial grounds and country churches.

Genealogists will find significant value in the specifically named cemeteries, such as Kidd Cem, Thompson Cem, and Blue Cem, which remain as markers of long-established families in the area. The presence of the Louisville and Nashville railroad line following the river course at Ford underscores the historical importance of this corridor for regional commerce. The terrain is deeply dissected by drainages like Boone Creek and Howard Creek, creating a landscape of high ridges and narrow hollows like Bush Hollow that dictated the placement of early homes and farms.