1952 Map of Heidelberg

About this map

The Kentucky River winds sharply through Lee and Estill counties in this 1952 survey, defining a landscape of deep valleys and narrow ridges such as Spencer Ridge and Hale Ridge. This river corridor was a vital industrial artery, evidenced by the presence of Lock No 13 and Lock No 14 and the tracks of the Louisville and Nashville railroad tracking the riverbanks through Heidelberg and Yellow Rock. The map documents a rural society built around local resource extraction, with numerous Oil Wells and Strip Mines appearing near Sturgeon Creek. Local history is captured in the network of one-room schools and small churches, such as Bear Track Mission Sch and St Theresa Ch, which served family enclaves reflected in name-labels like the Beatty Place Cem and Angel Cem.