2022 Map of Alarka

About this map

Oak Grove and the nearby Oak Grove Baptist Church sit at the heart of this landscape, where the southern reaches of the Cowee Mountains meet the Little Tennessee River. This survey documents a rural mountain community defined by its deep family roots, visible in the high density of small burial grounds such as Brendle Cem, Cochran Cem, and Lakey Cem scattered across the ridges. The topography is dominated by significant elevations within the Nantahala National Forest, including Fork Mtn and Cowstamp Mtn. To the west, settlements like Stiles and the bend at Shallow Ford follow the river's path, while the eastern portion of the sheet is marked by the winding courses of Alarka Creek and Caler Fork. The map provides a clear view of the road network connecting isolated coves, from Hall Farm Road to the winding State Road 1352 near Leatherman.