1947 Map of Big Ridge

About this map

The Tuckasegee River carves through this portion of Jackson County shortly after the second World War, defining a landscape of high summits and deep gaps. Settlement patterns are focused around community hubs like Big Ridge Ch and Neddie Mtn Ch, along with the Rock Bridge Sch. These points of assembly suggest the enduring social structure of the mountain coves before mid-century modernization fully took hold. The map details the waters of Glenville Lake and Fairfield Lake, which sit at the edge of the Nantahala National Forest. Prominent landmarks such as Indian Place and the Island Ford provide evidence of historical river crossings and ancient land use. High-elevation ridges like Lizzie Mountain and Glassyrock Ridge separate the various watersheds, including the Horsepasture River which flows southward toward the state line.