2013 Map of Balkan

About this map

The Cumberland River and Straight Cr define the settlement patterns of this Bell County region, where mountain hollows and gaps dictated the placement of small communities. The topography is dominated by the long ridge of Pine Mountain, which separates the valley of Kettle Island from the southern reaches near Miracle and Balkan. Genealogists will find a cluster of burial sites including Kettle Island Cem, Hall Cem, and Tacket Hill Cem, often situated near the mouths of local branches. These waterways, such as Schoolhouse Br and Stillhouse Br, reflect the essential local landmarks of early rural life. The map reveals the intricate network of roads like Peach Blossom Rd and Tejay Spur that connect isolated settlements like Tejay and Callaway through the gaps of the Cumberland plateau.