1921 Map of Big Stone Gap

About this map

The Powell River cuts through the heavy ridges of the Cumberland Mountains, anchoring a landscape defined by the early twentieth-century coal and timber economy. In this 1920 survey, the Southern RR and local spurs connect a series of industrial company towns and settlements, including Stonega, Arno, Inman, and Keokee. The map documents a dense network of family-named landmarks and essential rural institutions, such as Robbins Chapel, the Seminary School, and Johnsons Mill PO. These points of interest are situated between the steep elevations of Stone Mountain and Black Mountain, where the border between Kentucky and Virginia follows the highest peaks. The intricate drainage patterns of Roaring Fork and Callahan Creek highlight the difficult terrain that dictated the placement of rail lines and early road crossings like DeBusk Ford.