Cartographic representations of Cave Run Lake and the Morehead Ranger District : an honors thesis [(HONRS 499)]

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Authors
Fawley, Ian T.
Advisor
Sheaffer, Amy L.
Issue Date
2005
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Cartography is an art. As computerized mapping becomes more and more popular, hand-drawn, map making is becoming a lost art form. Many of the most famous and appreciated maps are the intricate, antique maps of the past. After pouring nearly 150 hours into my thesis, I firmly believe these maps are highly valued due to the time and detail the cartographers put into their creations. Maps need not simply be functional; they can also be cherished for their aesthetic qualities.The works referenced for my thesis are largely the images of Cave Run Lake and the surrounding hills and hollows. Only by thoroughly knowing the lay of the land were the cartographers of the past able to create their works of art. By spending a summer working for the Daniel Boone National Forest Service, hiking the hills around Cave Run Lake, I was able to capture the heart of this region on paper.The style of my maps can be attributed largely to a series of Civil War battlefield maps compiled by Michael Sharpe. The oblique perspective of these historical maps seemed to capture the topography of Cave Run Lake perfectly. Many of the maps available from the Forest Service also influenced my thesis creation. The Forest Service's publications have a rustic quality that I tried to capture through my maps.By integrating the functionality of the computer-generated map with the art of the hand-drawn map, I have brought the future of cartography face-to-face with its roots. In order for more people to appreciate the art of cartography as I have come to, I am contributing this thesis to further the educational and cultural pursuits of the Morehead Ranger District Visitor Center.