This 1918 Railroad Map of Ohio was prepared under the direction of C.E. Sherman, with drafting by W.D. Turnbull, for the State Commissioners of Public Printing.
The map provides a comprehensive overview of Ohio’s railroad infrastructure at the time, including key rail lines and transportation hubs. It delineates various railroads with distinct color-coded lines: Pennsylvania Lines are in red, the New York Central in blue, the Baltimore & Ohio in green, the Erie Railroad in yellow, and other steam railroads in black. Interurban electric lines are depicted with dashed lines, and steamship routes are marked in solid lines. Major population centers, such as Toledo, Newark, Fostoria, and Shawnee, are categorized by their population size, ranging from 100,000 or more to smaller towns with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants.
The map also identifies important county boundaries, township lines, and incorporated towns. Special symbols mark dams with locks, post offices, railroad stations, and other critical infrastructure like cemeteries, schools, and hospitals. Notably, the map reflects data from various authoritative sources, including U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps and the U.S. Postal Guide, ensuring accurate geographic representation. Insets on the map provide detailed views of urban areas such as Toledo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and their surrounding rail connections.
This map was an essential tool for understanding Ohio’s transportation network during a period of extensive railroad usage, illustrating the connections that facilitated both commerce and passenger travel across the state.