Published in 1957 from 1955 survey work, the US Geological Survey’s “Eddyville” captures a fascinating moment in western Kentucky, when the lower Cumberland and Tennessee river country was poised between older riverine settlement and the engineered landscapes of the postwar era. Centered on the Eddyville and Grand Rivers area, the map records a region shaped by water, ridges, ferry routes, roads, and small communities before later recreational development transformed much of the surrounding terrain. Its 1:62,500 topographic format gives a richly legible view of the country around Kentucky Lake, the Cumberland River, Kuttawa, Lick Creek, and the corridors that would become increasingly important with expanding reservoir infrastructure.

The map is a classic mid-century USGS production, precise, restrained, and information-rich. Contour lines describe the folded hills and valleys of western Kentucky with quiet authority, while color distinctions mark woodland, open land, roads, streams, and built environments. U.S. Route 62 and Kentucky Route 295 thread through the landscape, linking Eddyville, Grand Rivers, Kuttawa, and rural settlements such as Walcott. The clarity of the survey allows the viewer to read both natural form and human intention: roads hugging ridgelines, creeks cutting through low country, and towns positioned near river crossings and transportation routes. It is cartography as infrastructure, science, and portraiture all at once.

Grand Rivers is one of the most evocative places shown here, situated near the meeting ground of two great waterways: the Tennessee River, already transformed by Kentucky Dam into Kentucky Lake, and the Cumberland River, which would later be impounded to form Lake Barkley. This geography made the town strategically and commercially significant, a gateway between river systems and upland Kentucky. Nearby TVA lands hint at the federal planning that reshaped the region during the twentieth century. The map also invites comparison with later landscapes, when Barkley Dam, Lake Barkley, and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area would redefine the area as a major destination for boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

Eddyville itself carries particular historical resonance. The town and its surrounding roads, valleys, and river approaches appear here in a configuration soon to be altered by the creation of Lake Barkley and associated infrastructure. Alongside Kuttawa and smaller rural communities, it reflects a mid-century pattern of settlement tied to agriculture, river commerce, churches, local roads, and courthouse-town networks. Details such as Lick Creek, Fishing Creek, and the Cumberland River reveal the hydrological framework around which everyday life was organized. The presence of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and other local landmarks grounds the map in lived community, not merely terrain.

As a USGS map, “Eddyville” belongs to one of America’s most important cartographic traditions: the systematic topographic mapping of the nation for scientific, civic, military, and developmental use. Yet beyond its technical excellence, it offers a compelling historical document of a landscape in transition. The hills and waterways of western Kentucky are rendered before the full emergence of the modern lake-and-recreation economy, while the nearby TVA influence signals the ambitions of federal river management. For collectors of Kentucky history, American infrastructure, or topographic design, this map presents Grand Rivers and the Eddyville region at a pivotal mid-twentieth-century moment, poised between old river country and a newly engineered future.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Grand Rivers
• Eddyville
• Lake Barkley
• Kentucky Lake
• U.S. Route 62
• Kentucky Route 295
• Smithland
• Marion
• Kuttawa
• Lick Creek
• Cumberland River
• Barkley Dam
• Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
• St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
• Walcott
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) land
• Fishing Creek

Historical context & cartographic details

• Map name: Eddyville
• Historical 1:62,500 topographical map showing Grand Rivers, Kentucky and the surrounding area
• Dated 1955 and published with a 1957 imprint
• Produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS)
• Prominently features Grand Rivers, Kentucky
• Displays a typical mid-century USGS style, with clear representation of topographical features, roads, and water bodies
• Uses color shading to reflect elevation changes and vegetative cover
• Illustrates varied Kentucky terrain, including hills, valleys, and waterways
• Provides insight into the development of the Grand Rivers area in the mid-20th century
• Reflects later regional changes including recreational development and infrastructure growth, particularly around reservoirs

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.