Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-108

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (June 16, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, the west was a short trip in late 18^th century US territory.  

Go West Young Man

The first permanent American settlement west of the Appalachians was established on June 16, 1774, Harrodsburg, Kentucky.   (There were forts established by the French earlier which, over time, became part of the expanding US.)

James Harrod and over 30 men settled here after departing Pennsylvania, looking for adventure.

Harrodsburg was the first seat of Kentucky in 1776.  Today this central Kentucky town boasts over 9,000 residents, with its recorded population growing in each census since 1900. 

Two NFL players are from here, with Dennis Johnson being named the high school football player of the year in 1997 by Sports Illustrated.

Here is Ruth White’s pictorial map of Kentucky from 1938.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.