1938 Map of Andrews

About this map

Andrews sits at the heart of the Valley River valley, a primary hub for commerce and transport in western North Carolina during the late 1930s. The town's industrial footprint is evidenced by the Southern Railway corridor and proximity to the State Prison Camp, while later revisions in 1973 introduce mid-century additions like the Drive-In Theater and the Andrews-Murphy Airfield. This landscape is bounded by the Snowbird Mountains to the north and the Valley River Mountains to the south, with much of the territory protected within the Nantahala National Forest. Smaller settlements like Valleytown and Hardin provide clues to early residential patterns, while landmarks such as Beaver Creek Ch and the Valley River Ch and Cem offer specific locations for genealogical research. The map captures a transition between the valley's agricultural roots and its modern infrastructure, including the development of the Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area in the south.