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Key Ohio Book with Maps

Including an Early Plan of Cincinnati

One of the most important early Ohio books, authored by one of Cincinnati's most famous residents.  Drake based his book on Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia.  The work provides a marvelous overview of the geography, antiquities, topography, medical conditions, and government of southern Ohio.

[Drake's] work is almost entirely original, and has been drawn upon largely by all subsequent writers on the subject - Thomson.

Drake's work is the first study of the geology of the western Ohio Valley, with special attention given to “elephant fossils” at Big Bone Lick (later discovered to be Mammoths). It also details Indian mounds within Cincinnati proper.  

The book includes two excellent early maps:

• Plan of Cincinnati Including All the latest Additions & Subdivisions . . .  
• Map of the Miami Country . . . 

Dr. Daniel Drake was one of the first great physicians in the West. Drake participated in the founding of numerous Ohio and Kentucky public institutions and authored numerous important works, most notably early medical observations on the region. This was his first book to attain national acclaim. While dated 1815, the work was not issued until Feb. 16, 1816, as the Philadelphia engraved maps delayed publication. Drake also published Notices Concerning Cincinnati (1810).

Drake's 'Picture of Cincinnati' excited a great deal of interest in the East and even on the continent of Europe, where parts of the book were translated for the benefit to the people who contemplated emigrating. - Juettner.

Drake's close association with Josiah Meigs, the commissioner of the General Land Office and an acquaintance of Thomas Jefferson, is notable. Drake requested Meigs to send Jefferson a presentation copy of his work, "Picture of Cincinnati." On March 1, 1816, Meigs wrote to Jefferson, endorsing the work as "elegant and valuable" and commending Drake as a steadfast supporter of the nation's free institutions, underscoring his Republican values.   Describing this book on April 7, 1816, Jefferson wrote to Meigs:

I have referred [sic] asking the favor of you to return my thanks to Dr. Drake for the copy of his account of the state of Ohio which he has been so kind as to send me until I could have time to peruse it. I have done this with great pleasure and may now express my gratification on this able addition to the knowledge we possess of our different states; and I may say with truth that were all of them as well delineated as that which is the subject of this volume, we should be more accurately and scientifically known to the rest of the world.

With my thanks for this mark of attention be pleased to accept the assurance of my great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson.