1949 Map of Big Clifty

About this map

Rough River and Nolin River wind through this mid-century landscape of west-central Kentucky, marking the rural development of Grayson and Hardin counties. The area is defined by a dense network of country schools and houses of worship, such as Sand Ridge Sch and the Mt Olive Cumberland Ch, which served small farming communities like Franklin Crossroads and Constantine. The Illinois Central railroad cuts through the southern terrain, connecting Big Clifty with Stephensburg and sustaining the local economies of White Mills and Harcourt. This period showcases a transition from traditional water-powered sites like Pierce Mill and Webb Mills to industrial extraction at Blueball Quarry. For genealogists, the map preserves the locations of many family-named landmarks and resting places, including St Elizabeth Cem and Blueball Hill Cem, offering a clear view of the social geography before modern infrastructure expansion.