Antique Map of Kentucky & Tennessee – The Bluegrass & Volunteer States, 1888
This antique engraved map of Kentucky and Tennessee, published in 1888 by Rand, McNally & Co. in Chicago for their Improved Indexed Business Atlas and Shippers Guide, provides a highly detailed view of two historically important Southern states in the late 19th century. It shows counties, towns, and an extensive network of railroads, capturing a period when rail transportation was rapidly transforming the economy and society of the post-Civil War South.
The Kentucky section, titled “New County and Railroad Map of Kentucky,” highlights the state’s counties, with Louisville, Lexington, Covington, and Frankfort (the state capital) standing out as major centers. Known as “The Bluegrass State,” Kentucky was already famous for its fertile farmland, thoroughbred horse breeding, and bourbon whiskey industry. The map shows dense railroad coverage, including the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, which connected Kentucky to major markets in the Midwest and South.
The Tennessee portion, titled “County and Railroad Map of Tennessee,” provides similar detail. Counties such as Shelby, Davidson, Knox, and Hamilton are clearly marked, along with the major cities of Memphis, Nashville (the state capital), Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Known as “The Volunteer State,” Tennessee played a critical role in American history, from its frontier heritage to its importance during the Civil War. By 1888, Tennessee’s economy was diversifying, with Memphis as a cotton trading hub, Nashville as a growing cultural and commercial center, and Chattanooga as a key industrial city connected to the railroads.
The map’s railroad...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Engraved Furniture