1935 Map of Big A Mountain

About this map

The Buchanan Russell Co line divides this terrain, following the high ridges between the Russell Fork and Thompson Creek watersheds during the mid-1930s. The landscape is defined by its numerous family-named landmarks and remote upland communities like Council and Combs. Education and faith served as the primary social anchors for these hollows, evidenced by the high density of small facilities such as Crabtree Sch, Grissom Sch, and Austin Chapel. Transport in the southern section of the quadrangle is anchored by the Norfolk and Western RR and State Highway No 80, while the interior relies on a network of trails and primitive roads traversing points like Bowen Gap and Bradley Gap. The mapping reveals a settlement pattern strictly dictated by the intricate drainage systems of Garden Creek and Weaver Creek.