1954 Map of Barthell

About this map

The South Fork Cumberland River carves a deep path through the coal-rich landscape of the Cumberland National Forest, dictating the placement of early mining and timber settlements. In the mid-1950s, the Kentucky and Tennessee Railway remained the vital artery for this region, winding past coal camps like Barthell and Blue Heron. The rugged topography of Rattlesnake Ridge and Coon Patch Ridge isolated many small communities, leading to a proliferation of local institutions such as White Oak Sch and Wolf Ridge Ch. Genealogists will find a wealth of family history in the numerous small burial grounds, including Chitwood Cem, Hickman Cem, and the uniquely named Nancy Grave Cem, which dot the ridges and hollows of McCreary County.