1962 Map of Byrdstown

About this map

Byrdstown serves as the regional hub for this northern Tennessee landscape, situated where the high ridges of the Highland Rim meet the complex shoreline of Dale Hollow Lake. The 1962 topography illustrates the transformative impact of the reservoir system on the Wolf River and Obey River valleys, showing several settlements and cemeteries that remain perched above the 651-foot spillway elevation. Local history is anchored by the Cordell Hull Birthplace and numerous rural churches and cemeteries, such as Jones Chapel and the Tompkins Cem, which serve as vital markers for genealogical research. The map captures a moment when traditional river crossings were being replaced, yet a Ferry still operated on Big Eagle Creek. Beyond the central town, the landscape is dotted with smaller communities like Smyrna and Bloomington, alongside scattered agricultural operations and local resource extraction at several Quarries.