1952 Map of Blackwater

About this map

The historical Wilderness Road traverses this Laurel County landscape, cutting through the dense network of ridges and creek valleys south of Lida. In the early 1950s, this area of Kentucky maintained a traditional rural character defined by a high density of community centers, including Bush Ch and Providence Ch. Education was locally oriented with numerous small schools such as Camp Ground Sch, Merrimac Sch, and Fletcher Sch serving the scattered population. The map captures the transition from old overland routes to a post-war economy, evidenced by the presence of a Strip Mine and the established settlement at Blackwater. Numerous family cemeteries, such as the Jones Cem and McFadden Cem, are documented across the hills, providing valuable data for genealogical research into the families living along the Laurel River and Blackwater Creek.