1908 Map of Georgetown

About this map

The Bluegrass region of Kentucky is defined here by its intricate network of river bends and turnpikes connecting the major hubs of Georgetown, Versailles, and the northwestern edge of Lexington. Meandering through the heart of the landscape, the North Elkhorn Creek and South Elkhorn Creek create a deeply sinuous drainage pattern that influenced the placement of early settlements and rail lines. Five different railroads, including the Southern Ry and the Louisville and Nashville RR, intersect the territory, serving established communities like Midway and Paynes Depot. The map captures a sophisticated 1908 infrastructure of pikes, such as the Ironworks Pike and Leestown Pike, which reflect the region's early transition from pioneer trails to a structured commercial corridor for the tobacco and equine economies. Notable smaller localities like White Sulphur and Pisgah appear as they were before modern development shifted the rural character of Scott and Woodford counties.