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1954 Map of Benham

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Benham
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

Cumberland, Benham, and Lynch anchor this 1950s survey of Harlan County’s coal-producing heartland. The industrial footprint of the era is evident in the dense residential blocks of the coal camps and the prominent path of the Louisville and Nashville railroad as it follows Looney Creek through the narrow valley. This transportation corridor connects the major settlements to specialized facilities like the Lynch High Sch and the regional Cawood Sch.

The landscape is defined by the steep elevation of Pine Mountain to the north and the massive bulk of Black Mountain to the south. Notable high-altitude landmarks include a Radar Sta and a Lookout Tower positioned on the ridges, while the first signs of Strip Mine operations appear near the western valley floor. The map also documents the remote southern drainages of Clover Fork and Breedens Creek before they enter the Jefferson National Forest.