1877 Illustrated Atlas of the Upper Ohio River & Valley, from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati

$74.84
by Eli L. Hayes

Shop Now
This full-color facsimile reproduces what David Rumsey describes as "perhaps the most extraordinary 'county atlas' produced in the 19th century." Originally published in Philadelphia in 1877 by Titus, Simmons & Titus and compiled by cartographer E.L. Hayes, the work is regional in scope — covering both sides of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati through Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky — but follows the format of a traditional county atlas, combining detailed cartography with lithographic views and directories of the towns, cities, residences, and businesses along the river. The atlas pairs continuous river mapping with intimate portraits of valley life: steamboats working the channel, factory interiors and exteriors, farms, mansions, and commercial establishments from the industrial heart of Pittsburgh to the river ports of the Ohio Valley. Surviving copies have become scarce, as many were broken up by dealers for their individual maps and views. Summary of Contents The atlas opens with a title page, table of contents, and an Index Map of the Upper Ohio River and Valley spanning pages 6–7. The main body of the work is organized into three principal sections: River Work, Cities, Towns, Boroughs, and Villages, and Views. The River Work section is divided into twenty-six numbered Parts, providing continuous detailed mapping of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh downstream to Cincinnati, with each Part keyed to the index map for easy navigation along the river's course. The Cities, Towns, Boroughs, and Villages index covers hundreds of communities along the river and its tributaries across four states. Featured locations include Aberdeen, Allegheny, Ashland, Beaver, Bellevue, Bridgeport, Cannelton, Carrollton, Catlettsburg, Charlestown, Chester, Cincinnati, Clarington, Coal Grove, Coraopolis, East Liverpool, Economy, Elizabeth, Empire, Fairmount, Gallipolis, Greenup, Hanging Rock, Harmar, Huntington, Ironton, Kenova, Lawrenceburg, Leetonia, Madison, Manchester, Marietta, Martins Ferry, Maysville, McKeesport, Middleport, Moundsville, New Albany, New Cumberland, New Martinsville, New Richmond, New Vienna, Newport, Parkersburg, Paducah, Pittsburgh, Pomeroy, Portsmouth, Ripley, Rockport, Rochester, Sewickley, Shawneetown, Sistersville, Steubenville, Vanceburg, Wellsburg, Wheeling, Williamstown, and Wrightsville, among many others. The Views section presents lithographic illustrations of prominent residences, farms, commercial establishments, hotels, factories, and public buildings throughout the valley, with an extensive index of subscribers and properties. Notable views include the Grand Central Hotel, Hardisty City Coal and Salt Company, Linden Female Academy, Mount St. Vincent Female Academy, Rockville House, Sistersville Female Seminary, and dozens of private estates and industrial works that document the architecture, industry, and prosperity of Ohio River communities at the height of the steamboat and early railroad era. There are business directory notices throughout the book. About the Compilation The atlas was compiled and drawn for the publishers from United States official and special surveys by E.L. Hayes, with assistance from E.F. Hayes, C.M. Beresford, S.A. Charpiot, F.L. Sanford, and J.H. Sherman. The maps were engraved by Worley & Bracher, printed by H.J. Toudy & Co., and bound by Oldach & Mergenthaler, all of Philadelphia. Lithographic views were contributed by A. Ruger. An essential reference for genealogists tracing families along the Ohio River corridor, historians of nineteenth-century American river commerce and industry, and collectors of antiquarian American cartography.

Customer Reviews

No ratings. Be the first to rate

 customer ratings


How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Review This Product

Share your thoughts with other customers