Published in 1932, the United States Geological Survey’s “Burnside” presents the south-central Kentucky landscape that would later be transformed by the creation of Lake Cumberland in the 1950s. Rather than the broad reservoir familiar today, the map records the pre-impoundment geography of the Cumberland River and its tributaries, with valleys, crossings, roads, rail lines, farms, and settlements captured before water reshaped the region. At a 1:62,500 scale, it offers a remarkably legible view of Burnside, Monticello, Bronston, Waitsboro, Windsor, and Halls Crossing, placing each within a finely measured terrain of ridges and hollows. This is a map of a vanished landscape, preserving the contours of a place on the cusp of dramatic twentieth-century alteration.

The cartography bears the unmistakable authority of the USGS, whose topographic quadrangles became essential instruments for engineers, geologists, planners, and travelers across the United States. In the “Burnside” sheet, the Survey’s disciplined visual language is both practical and elegant: brown contour lines trace elevation at 20-foot intervals, while green areas indicate vegetation and land cover, giving the countryside a layered, almost sculptural appearance. Roads, railroads, streams, schools, churches, and settlement patterns are integrated with scientific precision. The result is not merely a navigational document, but a carefully organized portrait of the land itself—its slopes, drainage, access routes, and human occupation arranged in a balanced, information-rich design.

The Cumberland River dominates the sheet’s historical geography, winding through steep valleys that would later be inundated by Lake Cumberland’s waters. Fishing Creek, Wolf Creek, Flat Rock Creek, Eubank Creek, and countless smaller branches reveal the natural drainage network that once defined movement and settlement in this part of Kentucky. These waterways were more than geographic features: they shaped agriculture, transportation, milling, fishing, and local community life. Crossings such as Halls Crossing and settlements like Waitsboro and Bronston appear in relation to river bends, creek mouths, and road approaches, showing how human activity adapted itself to the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Seen today, the map offers a rare glimpse of valleys and lowlands before their modern transformation.

Burnside itself occupies a particularly interesting position, historically tied to river travel, rail connections, and later to the recreational identity of Lake Cumberland. US Route 27 and KY Route 90 help anchor the mapped landscape in the developing road network of the early automobile age, while railroad lines underscore the continuing importance of rail transport in rural Kentucky during the interwar period. Monticello appears to the southwest as an important town in the wider regional pattern, connected by roads threading through the hills and creek valleys. The map’s dense web of routes, waterways, and settlements conveys a living landscape: practical, rural, and interconnected, yet still deeply governed by terrain.

As a historical document, “Burnside” is especially compelling because it records what came before one of Kentucky’s major modern reservoirs. The construction of Wolf Creek Dam and the subsequent formation of Lake Cumberland submerged, altered, or reoriented many earlier landscape features, making this 1932 topographic view invaluable for understanding the region’s pre-reservoir character. Its close contouring reveals the valleys that later became coves and shorelines; its roads and crossings hint at routes that would be abandoned, rerouted, or given new significance. For collectors drawn to landscapes in transition, this map offers both beauty and evidence: a precise federal survey of a Cumberland River world just before it was remade.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Lake Cumberland
• Burnside
• Monticello
• Windsor
• Halls Crossing
• Waitsboro
• Bronston
• Perth
• Fishing Creek
• Wolf Creek
• Cumberland River
• Flat Rock Creek
• Eubank Creek
• US Route 27
• KY Route 90
• Railroads
• Various unnamed hills and valleys
• Various unnamed streams and water bodies

Historical context & cartographic details

• Published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), known for authoritative topographic mapping across the United States.
• Created in 1932 at a scale of 1:62,500.
• Historical topographical map showing the Lake Cumberland area of Kentucky and its surrounding landscape.
• Uses color to indicate elevation, terrain contours, land heights, and vegetation.
• Includes detailed contour lines at 20-foot intervals to show elevation changes and landforms.
• Records the landscape before major alterations caused by the creation of the Lake Cumberland reservoir in the 1950s.
• Provides insight into historical land use, natural features, roads, water features, and landforms that may later have been submerged or modified.

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.