1935 Map of Benham

About this map

The Little Black Mountain ridgeline forms a high-altitude border between Kentucky and Virginia on this 1935 advance sheet. This specific survey was conducted in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Stonega Coal and Coke Company, reflecting the industrial interests that shaped the Harlan and Lee county lines. The map captures specialized mining operations like The Double Stonega Coal No 40 and Big Stone Gap No 5, which are critical identifiers for those researching the coal history of the Cumberland Plateau. Narrow hollows such as Marcum Hollow and McConnell Hollow drop away from the peaks, showing the steep terrain that dictated the movement of laborers and resources. A single Trail traverses the high ground near Deep Gap, representing the early infrastructure of this coal-producing borderland during the mid-1930s.