1918 Map of Prestonsburg

About this map

Prestonsburg sits at the confluence of Middle Creek and the Levisa Fork, serving as a central hub in eastern Kentucky during this 1915 survey. The town is tied to the broader regional economy via the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, which tracks the river's path through the deep valleys. The topography is defined by the headwaters of two major river systems, with the Licking River winding through the western portion of the map, fed by numerous branches like Rocklick Fork and Burning Fork. Local life is organized around small settlements and post offices such as Alphoretta P.O., Langley P.O., and Maytown. Educational landmarks like the Big Lick School appear in the northern reaches, while the complex boundary lines between Johnson, Magoffin, Floyd, Breathitt, and Knott counties illustrate the intricate political geography of these coal-rich highlands during the early twentieth century.