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1952 Map of Big Ridge Park

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Big Ridge Park
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Big Ridge State Park and the rising waters of Norris Lake define this landscape at the intersection of Union, Anderson, and Knox counties. Following the creation of the reservoir by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the map shows the emergence of New Loyston, a planned community established to replace the original town flooded by the dam project. The terrain is dominated by a series of parallel ridges, including Hinds Ridge and Chestnut Ridge, which dictate the placement of rural settlements and transport corridors like Tenn 33.

Genealogical interest is high throughout these valleys, with numerous family burial grounds such as Snodderly Cem, Beeler Cem, and Warwick Cem scattered along the slopes. Landmarks of the local economy and social life include the Big Ridge Dam, Loyston Dike, and several country sanctuaries such as Byrams Fork Church and Texas Valley Church. These features illustrate the mid-century transition from isolated ridge-and-valley farming to a landscape shaped by federal water and recreation projects.