1940 Map of Benton

About this map

Benton serves as the focal point of this 1940 survey, situated where the Ocoee River and Hiwassee River converge amidst a landscape of river bottoms and rising peaks. The map details the local economy and social structure of the era through its dense network of rural infrastructure, including Chestuee Mills and the Old Wilson Mill. Local families can be traced through sites like the Baker Chapel Cem and Pursley Cem, while community life is anchored by numerous small congregations such as Mt Hermon Ch and Pleasant Grove Ch. The influence of the Tennessee Valley Authority is evident in the inclusion of the Chickamauga Res elevation, reflecting a period of significant hydraulic and geographical transformation. Transportation is dominated by the Louisville and Nashville railroad and landmarks like Reynolds Bridge, which facilitated movement across the complex river bends like Pinhook Bend and Calhoun Bend.