1953 Map of Bangor

About this map

The Licking River winds through the heart of this landscape, carving deep oxbows as it forms the boundary between Rowan, Bath, Menifee, and Morgan counties. The settlement pattern in the early 1950s follows the narrow river valleys and their numerous tributaries, such as Claylick Creek and Yocum Creek. Small rural communities like Bangor and Paragon anchor the region, while the Cumberland National Forest blankets much of the high ground. Educational life is remarkably decentralized, with several local institutions including Mt Hope Sch, Donahue Sch, and Licking River Sch serving these scattered valley homes. Notable landmarks include the Poppin Rock Tunnel and the prominent Lockegee Rock, illustrating a rugged topography where transport was often limited to river-parallel roads and occasional river-crossing points like the Ford near Bangor.