{"product_id":"map-of-paris-kentucky-by-usgs-1986-lexington-bourbon-county-bluegrass-region","title":"Map of Paris, Kentucky by USGS, 1986 – Lexington, Bourbon County \u0026 Bluegrass Region","description":"\u003cp\u003ePublished in 1986 by the United States Geological Survey, “Lexington, Kentucky” presents the Bluegrass region with the disciplined clarity for which USGS mapping is renowned. At a 1:100,000 scale, it offers a broad yet detailed view of central Kentucky, capturing the relationships between Lexington, Paris, county boundaries, rural roads, waterways, and surrounding settlements as they stood in the mid-1980s. Its planimetric approach emphasizes the two-dimensional arrangement of human and natural features, making roads, streams, towns, parks, and land-use patterns immediately legible. The result is a map that is both practical and historically evocative, preserving a moment in the region’s geographic development before later decades of suburban expansion and changing infrastructure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe United States Geological Survey brought more than a century of institutional expertise to this map. Founded in 1879, the USGS became the nation’s authoritative source for systematic geographic, geologic, and topographic knowledge, producing maps that shaped engineering, land management, resource planning, and travel. This 1986 sheet reflects that mature cartographic tradition: precise linework, standardized symbols, and carefully organized color distinguish transport routes, water features, wooded areas, and terrain. Its elegance lies not in ornament, but in accuracy and restraint. Every road junction, county marker, river bend, and settlement name contributes to a larger portrait of the landscape, rendered with the sober authority of federal survey mapping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLexington anchors the map geographically and historically, situated in the heart of Kentucky’s celebrated Bluegrass country. The surrounding terrain is a landscape of rolling hills, fertile valleys, horse farms, streams, and historic routes connecting communities across Fayette, Bourbon, and neighboring counties. Paris, prominently shown northeast of Lexington, is one of the region’s most storied towns, long associated with Bourbon County’s agricultural wealth and equine culture. The map’s road network reveals the practical geography of the area: highways radiating between towns, secondary roads threading through rural districts, and county lines imposing civic order upon a landscape shaped by watercourses and ridgelines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater is a subtle but essential presence across the sheet. Rivers, tributaries, creeks, lakes, and ponds define drainage patterns and help explain the placement of roads, farms, settlements, and recreational spaces. The map’s depiction of hills and valleys gives structure to the countryside, showing how natural landforms influenced movement and development. Green areas suggest vegetation and parkland, while lighter tones clarify more open or lower-lying ground, creating a readable visual hierarchy. Though designed for utility, the composition has an understated beauty: a balanced arrangement of blue waterways, red and black transport lines, civic boundaries, and shaded natural areas that together convey the complexity of the Bluegrass landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a historical document, this map captures central Kentucky at a distinct point in time. By 1986, Lexington had already grown into a major urban and educational center, yet much of the surrounding countryside retained its agricultural character. Comparing this mapped world with the present would reveal changes in suburban development, road construction, land use, and the expansion of commercial corridors. Parks, lakes, streams, county markers, and rural roads all serve as reference points in that evolving story. “Lexington, Kentucky” is therefore more than a geographic guide; it is a carefully measured record of place, preserving the region’s civic layout, natural features, and human imprint during the late twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCities, towns and places on this map\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParis, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLexington, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCounty line markers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNearby roadways and highways\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRivers, including tributaries and streams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLakes and ponds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParks and recreational areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural features such as hills and valleys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical context \u0026amp; cartographic details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePublished by the United States Geological Survey (USGS)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreated in 1986, with the same imprint year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanimetric map displaying data in a two-dimensional format\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePresents a 1:100,000 scale topographic view for detailed analysis of landforms and elevations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses a clear, systematic approach to delineate roads, rivers, and topographical details\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmploys color to differentiate land uses and elevation levels, with greens typically indicating vegetation areas and lighter shades indicating lower areas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReflects land use and geographic features as they appeared in 1986\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServes as a historical record of the area before later urban development, land-use changes, and landscape shifts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual elements emphasize clarity, making geographical relationships easy to understand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a particular place?\u003c\/strong\u003e Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eask our workshop to check before you order\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 36x24in (90x60cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/pages\/map-personalisation\"\u003eSee personalised map examples\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEvery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith 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 \u003ca target=\"”_blank”\" href=\"\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003erare old and vintage maps\u003c\/a\u003e to discover another place, period or style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126217961863,"sku":null,"price":54.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126217994631,"sku":null,"price":144.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218027399,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126218060167,"sku":null,"price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126218092935,"sku":null,"price":219.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218125703,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126218158471,"sku":null,"price":121.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126218191239,"sku":null,"price":328.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218224007,"sku":null,"price":369.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126218256775,"sku":null,"price":158.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126218289543,"sku":null,"price":642.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218322311,"sku":null,"price":642.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"31x50in (79x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126218355079,"sku":null,"price":287.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"31x50in (79x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126218387847,"sku":null,"price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"31x50in (79x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218420615,"sku":null,"price":1031.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"33x60in (84x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126218453383,"sku":null,"price":383.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"33x60in (84x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126218486151,"sku":null,"price":1912.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"33x60in (84x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218518919,"sku":null,"price":1775.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44x70in (112x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":68126218551687,"sku":null,"price":629.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44x70in (112x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":68126218584455,"sku":null,"price":2561.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"44x70in (112x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":68126218617223,"sku":null,"price":2390.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_c12da0ea-c612-4ae0-bd13-d71a8c5ddd41.jpg?v=1793873280","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.com\/products\/map-of-paris-kentucky-by-usgs-1986-lexington-bourbon-county-bluegrass-region","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}