1953 Map of Bangor

About this map

The Cumberland National Forest dominates this mid-century survey of Rowan County, where the serpentine Licking River carves a deep path through the plateau. Small settlements and rural community hubs are scattered across the winding hollows, including Bangor, Alfrey, and Zilpo. The landscape is marked by a network of one-room schools such as Mt Hope Sch and Donahue Sch, which served families living along branches like Cave Br and Pound Br. Significant infrastructure of the era is represented by the Poppin Rock Tunnel near Paragon, while landmarks like Lockeegee Rock and Wilson Hill provide prominent elevation points. The river serves as a primary boundary, dividing Rowan from Menifee and Bath counties, with several fords and crossings like Cassidy Ford Hollow indicating the local transportation patterns before modern bridge networks were fully established.