1954 Map of Bell Farm

About this map

The South Fork Little Kentucky River and Little South Fork carve through the heavily forested terrain of the Cumberland National Forest on this mid-century survey. The landscape is defined by its verticality, featuring dramatic landmarks like The Pilot, Middle Cliff, and Chimney Rock. Small rural communities and family enclaves are scattered along the ridge tops and creek bottoms, evidenced by names like Rockybranch and Griffin. The map reveals a community-centered life in the 1950s, anchored by numerous country schools such as Slavans Sch and Wolf Sch, and churches like Green Ford Ch. Along the ridges, the Wolf Ridge Lookout and Skullbones Lookout Tower indicate a landscape managed for fire protection and timber, while clusters of Oil Wells near the center of the sheet point to the region's extractive history.