1932 Map of Big Clifty

About this map

Big Clifty serves as a focal point for this landscape where the Kentucky asphalt industry was taking shape between the World Wars. Local extractors such as the Rock Crush Asphalt Mine and Valley Asphalt Mine highlight the geological wealth of the area, while the discovery of Wonderland Caverns near the Nolin River suggests early interest in the region's subterranean features. The rugged terrain, punctuated by Buzzard Cliff and Laurel Ridge, is heavily dotted with rural community life, featuring an extensive network of schools and churches including the Howe Valley High School and Meeting Creek Church. Along the Rough River and its tributaries, small commerce centers like Calverts Store and Stephensburg provide a look at the social fabric of Grayson and Hardin counties before modern development reshaped these valley communities.