Immerse yourself in the charm of the past with this exquisite 1820 map of Kentucky and Tennessee by H. S. Tanner. An invaluable piece of history, this map offers a window into a formative era in the development of these significant regions. Crafted with an exquisite eye for detail and a deep understanding of geography, this antique piece is more than a map - it's a vibrant tapestry woven with the threads of early American history.
As a cherished relic from the past, this map highlights an array of settlements that contributed to the richness of Kentucky and Tennessee's history. Each place marked on this map tells a story of its own, with some being centers of trade, seats of power, or hubs of cultural assimilation.
Key settlements in Kentucky include:
- Louisville (1778): Founded by George Rogers Clark, it's one of the oldest cities west of the Appalachian Mountains.
- Lexington (1775): Founded in 1775, Lexington was named in honor of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.
- Frankfort (1786): Known for being the state capital and for its historical downtown.
- Paducah (1827): Recognized for its strategic location at the confluence of the Tennessee and the Ohio rivers.
- Owensboro (1817): Known for its vibrant bluegrass music scene and rich barbecue culture.
- Bowling Green (1798): Known for its historical significance during the Civil War.
- Covington (1815): Famous for its well-preserved historic districts.
- Hopkinsville (1796): Known for its annual 'Little Green Men' festival celebrating a claimed alien encounter in 1955.
- Richmond (1798): Known for the Battle of Richmond during the Civil War.
- Madisonville (1807): Known for its rich coal mining history.
- Elizabethtown (1797): Notable for being a gateway to the Bourbon Trail.
- Cumberland (1826): Named after the Cumberland River, it is known for its historic coal mining industry.
- Glasgow (1799): Known for its annual Scottish Highland Games.
- Pikeville (1822): Known for the historic feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families.
- Berea (1855): Notable for Berea College, the first co-educational and racially integrated college in the South.
Key settlements in Tennessee include:
- Nashville (1779): Known as the "Music City," it was founded by James Robertson and John Donelson and served as a major location for the music industry, especially country music.
- Knoxville (1791): This city is notable as the first capital of Tennessee.
- Chattanooga (1816): Chattanooga was an important city for its railroads which played a significant part in the Civil War.
- Clarksville (1785): Named for Revolutionary War hero General George Rogers Clark.
- Jackson (1821): Named after President Andrew Jackson, this city was a center for the railroad industry in the 19th century.
- Murfreesboro (1811): Was the capital of Tennessee from 1818 to 1826.
- Bristol (1852): Recognized as the birthplace of country music.
- Gallatin (1802): Notable for its numerous prehistoric sites and historic plantations.
- Lebanon (1801): Famous for its Wilson County Fair, one of the largest in Tennessee.
- Smyrna (1819): Known for its rich Civil War history.
- Greeneville (1783): Notable as the home of President Andrew Johnson.
- Sevierville (1795): Known for being the hometown of Dolly Parton.
- Shelbyville (1810): Known as the "Walking Horse Capital of the World."
Notable natural features include:
- Cumberland Gap: A pass through the Cumberland Mountains used by Native Americans and early settlers, and now part of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
- Mammoth Cave: The longest cave system known in the world, located in central Kentucky, and a popular tourist attraction.
- Great Smoky Mountains: The mountain range lining the Tennessee-North Carolina border, home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States.
- Kentucky River: The major waterway in central Kentucky, known for its beautiful palisades.
In the timeframe of 1815-1820, the region experienced significant developments such as:
- The charter of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky in 1818.
- The admission of Illinois to the Union in 1818, redefining the northern boundary of Kentucky.
- The establishment of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1836, which would become a critical logistical point in the American Civil War.
Immerse yourself in a bygone era with this beautifully detailed old map of Kentucky and Tennessee by H. S. Tanner. With its intricate renderings of settlements and topographical features, this map invites you on a journey through history, capturing a pivotal time in the early days of these two vibrant states. Explore the past, admire the artistry, and cherish the stories etched into this rare and precious piece of American heritage.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 24x36in (61x91.5cm), 30x40in (76x101.5cm), 37x50in (94x127cm), 45x60in (114x152.5cm) and 52x70in (132x178cm), but
it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 100in (254cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for
larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45.5x61cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.