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1909 Map of Providence

Name: 1909 Topographic Map of Providence
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1941
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1941

About this map

The Tradewater River winds deeply through this landscape, defining the boundaries between Webster, Union, Crittenden, Caldwell, and Hopkins counties. At the turn of the twentieth century, the region was anchored by the growing mining and agricultural hub of Providence and the rail-connected towns of Wheatcroft and Clay. The mapping captures a dense network of river crossings essential to local commerce before widespread bridge construction, including Rices Mill Jericho Ford, Montezuma Ford, and Baldwin Ford.

Transportation is dominated by the Illinois Central and Kentucky Valley railroads, which linked small settlements like Blackford and Sullivan to wider markets. The rural interior is dotted with landmark institutions central to early Kentucky genealogy, such as Hopewell Church, Shady Grove, and Sugar Grove School. High points like Coolers Knob and Iron Hill overlook a territory defined by its many creeks and the intricate horseshoe bends of the river valley.