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1953 Map of Gratz

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Gratz
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 carves a winding path through the borderlands of Henry and Owen counties, serving as the central artery for this mid-century rural landscape. River navigation is a primary focus, anchored by Lock No 2 and Lock No 3, which facilitated movement along the deep meanders. This era shows a community defined by its riverside settlements, from the established town of Gratz to the smaller clusters at Lockport and Monterey.

Genealogists will find a wealth of family-named landmarks and resting places, including the Cemetery Hill Ch and several small burial grounds like Wallace Cem and Beverly Cem. The terrain is characterized by extensive fertile floodplains known as bottoms, such as Clements Bottom, Browns Bottom, and Hardin Bottom, which suggest the agricultural importance of the valley floors. Smaller hamlets like Orville and Pallis are connected by a network of creeks, including Sixmile Creek and Cedar Cr, which drain the surrounding highlands.