Plan of Cincinnati and Vicinity

The city of Cincinnati shortly after the Civil War.

This detailed street map of Cincinnati was published in Philadelphia in 1867 by Samuel Augustus Mitchell. Mitchell was one of the most prominent American mapmakers of the 19th century and initially got involved with cartography as a school teacher who was frustrated with the quality of available maps. He collaborated with skilled engravers and produced high-quality maps and atlases that contained the most up-to-date information available. Mitchell’s son (of the same name) would take over the business after his death in 1860 and continue the tremendous output.

His attention to detail is evident within the image, which provides an engaging overview of The Queen City shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War. Bright colors highlight the sixteen different numbered wards and separate towns of Covington and Newport, across the Ohio River in Kentucky. A robust transportation network of horse-drawn streetcars is shown, as well as the three railroads in operation. Numerous important buildings are outlined and labeled throughout the image, including transportation depots, hotels, schools, and amusements.