1962 Map of Bulls Gap

About this map

Bulls Gap serves as a vital rail junction where the Southern railroad lines converge at the base of Bays Mountain. This early 1960s snapshot of the Tennessee landscape reveals a rural economy transitioning around the Cherokee Lake impoundment on the Holston River. To the north, the inundation of the river valley is marked by the Cherokee Reservation Boundary, while the surrounding hills remain dotted with small family settlements like St Clair, Persia, and Otes. The land is densely textured with dozens of family burial grounds, including the McBride Cem and Malinda Bridge Cem, reflecting generations of residence in Grassy Valley. Local industry and community life are anchored by landmarks such as Austins Mill, the Price Grove Sch, and numerous country houses of worship like Mt Zion Ch and Liberty Hill Church.