Antique maps and prints of historic Kentucky.

This short REFERENCE PAGE is designed to provide no more than a 'glimpse' of the history of the State,
with a couple of examples of antiquarian maps and engravings and some interesting Links.

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Genuine original antiquarian maps and authentic historical engravings, printed at the dates stated.
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STATE OF KENTUCKY

The article below was written in 1885 and makes interesting reading.

Topography: Kentucky has an area of 40,400 square miles, or 25,856,000 acres; its greatest length east and west being 350 miles, and its greatest breadth 178 miles. The whole of Kentucky lies within the Mississippi basin, and it is essentially a table land, sloping gradually from the southeast to the north-west.

There is a mountainous area of about 4,000 square miles in the southeast, and the eastern half of the table land has an average height of about 1,000 feet above sea level, with ridges five hundred feet higher.

Kentucky is amply provided with large rivers, the Ohio and Mississippi being navigable all along its borders, and the Big Sandy, Cumberland, Licking, Kentucky, Green, Salt, Big Barren, Tennessee and other important streams flowing through the State.

Kentucky possesses one of the greatest natural curiosities in the world in the Mammoth Cave, which is situated in Edmonson county near Green river, and is the largest cavern known.

Climate: The climate is very pleasant through somewhat variable, and is favourable to agriculture.

The average temperature is about 55º Fahrenheit, and in winter the thermometer seldom falls below zero. The winters are of medium length, and snow does not remain long on the ground.

The average annual rain fall is 50.30 inches, the greatest fall being in spring and winter; the summers and autumns being usually dry. The mean summer temperature is about 75º, and the weather, though warm is not oppressive.

The healthfulness of Kentucky is not exceeded by that of any other State or country in the same latitude; the death rate is only 10.9 to the thousand.

History: The first explorations of any importance were made by John Finley, of North Carolina, and some companions, in 1767. In 1769 Daniel Boone, with Finley and four others, reached Red river from North Carolina, and in 1771 Boone looked for the first time on the Ohio river.

All the early visitors met with great opposition from the Indians until on March 17, 1775, a treaty was signed with the Cherokees. The settlers organized a local government called the "Colony of Transylvania;" the State of Virginia refused to recognize it, and in 1776 it became "Kentucky county, Virginia." Louisville was first settled in 1780.

In 1790 the Territory of Kentucky was formed, and June 1, 1792, the State was admitted into the Union. A new State constitution was adopted in 1800 and remained unaltered until 1850, when the present organic law was framed. During the war of 1812 Kentucky contributed neary 7,000 volunteers to the Federal army, and in 1846 the State offered 13,700 volunteers to fight against Mexico.

At the beginning of the Civil war the State assumed a position of neutrality, and decided to organize a militia force for the defense of its territory against invasion. The legislature in February, 1861, refused to call a State convention to consider the subject of secession.

After the firing on Sumter, of which Major Robert Anderson, a Kentuckian by birth, was commandant, it became speedily apparent that neutrality was an impossibility, and that Kentucky had no power to repel invasion either from one side or the other.

In September, 1861, the Confederates occupied Columbus and Hickman, on the Mississippi, and about the same time Bowling Green was taken. In January, 1862, General Buell concentrated the Federal forces at Louisville.

In the battle of Mill Spring, January 19, the Confederate forces were defeated, and General Zollicoffer was killed. The Confederate troops abandoned Bowling Green and Columbus after the capture of Fort Donelson by General Grant in February.

In September, 1862, General Bragg accompanied by Morgan's cavalry, entered the State from East Tennessee, and struck for Frankfort, the State capital. The State government, archives and records were transferred to Louisville.

On October 8 Buell succeeded, by a series of forced marches, in intercepting Bragg's march on Louisville and a terrible battle was fought near Perryville. From this time on till the close of the war the State was constantly disturbed by cavalry raids, and martial law was declared by President Lincoln, July 5,1864. In 1865 the civil government was restored, but the legislature in 1867, 1869 and 1870 refused to ratify the constitutional amendments.

The State contributed to the Union armies 75,760 men.

Population: Census of 1880: Males, 832,590; Females, 816,100; Native, 1,589,173; Foreign, 59,517; White, 1,377,179; Colored, 271,511, including 10 Chinese, and 50 Indians and Half-breeds.

ANTIQUARIAN VIEW OF LOUISVILLE - KENTUCKY

Published by Bryant c1872

ANTIQUARIAN MAP OF KENTUCKY

Published in Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1880

INTERESTING LINKS

OTHER POSTAPRINT US STATES FEATURE PAGES

Kentucky Historical Society

Historical Landmarks in Kentucky

Kentucky Caverns

Contributions and suggestions for additional links would be most welcome.

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