1967 Map of Big Spring

About this map

The Tennessee River snakes through the landscape in a massive meander at Armstrong Bend, defining the border between Rhea and Meigs counties. This late-1960s survey illustrates a region shaped by water management and conservation, featuring the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge and the Blythe Ferry Goose Management Area at the confluence with the Hiwassee River. To the northwest, the city of Dayton sits near the mouth of Richland Creek, which feeds into Chickamauga Lake. The presence of William Jennings Bryan University and the Mark Anton Airfield signal the mid-century development of the area. Genealogists will find numerous family landmarks, including the Shaver Cem, Sullivan Cem, and Spence Cem, alongside an ancient Indian mound near the riverbank. The map also records essential local infrastructure like the Lake Richland Boat Dock and the Rattan Bridge.