Published in 1991 under the title “Maysville, Kentucky-Ohio,” this U.S. Geological Survey topographical map presents a richly detailed portrait of the Ohio River borderlands at the close of the twentieth century. At a 1:100,000 scale, it balances regional sweep with local precision, situating Maysville within the wider landscape of northern Kentucky and southern Ohio. The map captures a moment when river towns, rural roads, rail corridors, wooded hills, and agricultural ground formed an intricate geographic network. Its clear USGS color language—blue waterways, green vegetation, carefully graded elevation tones, and crisp cultural markings—makes the terrain immediately legible while preserving the visual elegance associated with late twentieth-century American topographic cartography.

Maysville itself occupies a historically resonant position on the south bank of the Ohio River, a waterway that shaped settlement, commerce, and movement throughout the region. Across the river, Aberdeen and Ripley appear as companion communities, linked by geography and by centuries of exchange along this great inland artery. The map’s riverine emphasis gives the sheet much of its character: the Ohio’s broad course defines the northern edge of Kentucky here, while tributaries and creeks articulate the folded land beyond. These waterways are not merely decorative features; they reveal the logic of towns, roads, bottomlands, and transport routes that developed in response to the valley’s opportunities and constraints.

Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey, the map reflects the agency’s long-standing mission to render the American landscape with scientific clarity and public utility. Founded in 1879, the USGS became the standard-bearer for topographic mapping in the United States, combining field survey, aerial interpretation, and standardized symbology into maps prized by engineers, planners, hikers, historians, and collectors alike. This 1991 sheet belongs to an era when printed topographic maps remained essential tools for understanding landform, infrastructure, and settlement. Its disciplined design—functional yet visually refined—embodies the USGS tradition of making complex environmental information both authoritative and accessible.

The topographic character of the Maysville region is especially compelling, with the map showing the transition between river valleys, wooded uplands, developed corridors, and rural county landscapes. Mason County and Fleming County appear amid a terrain shaped by drainage patterns, subtle elevation changes, and the long influence of agriculture and transportation. Kinniconick Creek and the Licking River add further hydrological texture, tracing natural routes through the land and highlighting the importance of water systems beyond the dominant Ohio. The distinctive elevation gradations give the map a sculptural quality, allowing the viewer to read ridges, hollows, and valleys as part of a continuous geographic fabric.

As a record of 1991, “Maysville, Kentucky-Ohio” offers more than orientation; it preserves a historical snapshot of infrastructure, land use, and place names at a particular moment. State routes, county roads, railways, parks, forested tracts, and landmarks together reveal how communities were connected before later decades of development, realignment, and environmental change. For those drawn to the layered history of the Ohio River valley, the map evokes both the persistence of older settlement patterns and the modern systems that overlaid them. It is a quietly sophisticated document: scientific in method, regional in focus, and rich with the geographic intelligence of a landscape shaped by rivers, roads, and time.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Maysville
• Ripley
• Aberdeen
• Lewisburg
• Fleming County
• Mason County
• Ohio River
• Licking River
• Kinniconick Creek
• Various roads, including state routes and county roads
• Parks and forested areas
• Railways
• Landmarks and historical sites

Historical context & cartographic details

• Map name: Maysville, Kentucky-Ohio
• Produced by the U.S. Geological Survey
• Dated 1991, with a 1991 imprint
• Historical 1:100,000 topographical map showing Maysville, Kentucky and the surrounding region
• The U.S. Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the U.S. government that provides information about the Earth, natural resources, and the environment
• Uses a clear USGS color scheme to distinguish topographical features, including rivers in blue and vegetation in shades of green
• Displays varied terrain, including river valleys, wooded areas, and developed land
• Records geographical features and developments as they existed in 1991, some of which may have changed due to urban development, environmental change, or infrastructure modifications
• Features distinctive elevation gradients characteristic of USGS topographical mapping from this period

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 36x24in (90x60cm) 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.