1957 Map of Big Junction

About this map

Cherokee National Forest and Nantahala National Forest converge at the high-altitude border of Tennessee and North Carolina in this mid-century survey. The landscape is defined by heavy timber and water management, visible in the Bemis Logging Camp and the Pheasant Field Rearing Pools along the Tellico River. The 1950s era of this map shows a region dedicated to conservation and wildlife restoration, with large swaths of land designated as the Tellico Wildlife Management Area and the Santeetlah Wildlife Management Area. Higher elevations are marked by prominent points like Haw Knob and Bob Bald, while the Hemlock Knob Lookout Tower serves as a critical fire watch station overlooking Eagle Gap. Local infrastructure is sparse, centered around the Tellico River Lodge and isolated structures like Rains Cabin.