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1978 Map of Burkesville

Name: 1978 Topographic Map of Burkesville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

The Cumberland River dictates the rhythm of the landscape in this late 1970s survey, looping through deep meanders that create fertile agricultural pockets like Howards Bottom, Scotts Bottom, and Irish Bottom. At the river's edge, the town of Burkesville serves as the regional hub, with the nearby settlement of Douan Town and various landings like Alexander Bar reflecting a long history of river-dependent commerce. The map is heavily dotted with Oil Wells, particularly concentrated along the flats and lower slopes, illustrating the significant role of the petroleum industry in Cumberland County during this era.

Deeply etched ridges, most notably String Ridge, separate the river valley from a network of winding hollows and creek beds. This terrain is populated by dispersed rural communities identified by their local landmarks, such as Bakerton and numerous country churches including Parrish Chapel and Smith Grove Ch. The presence of several miles of river markers, from Mile 424 to Mile 443, highlights the continued importance of the waterway as a navigational corridor through the Kentucky hills.