1934 Map of Chatham Hill

About this map

Chatham Hill and the surrounding valley floor are defined by the meandering course of the North Fork Holston River, as seen in this 1934 field examination. The landscape is structured by prominent ridges including Brushy Mountain and Rich Mountain, which separate the agricultural lowlands from more secluded areas like Poor Valley. Rural life is anchored by a network of one-room schools such as New Cove Sch and Old Cove Sch, alongside community landmarks like Crabtree Chapel and Goodman Chapel. A significant moment in local geography is captured in the south, where the map identifies the Proposed Hungry Mother Lake within Hungry Mother State Park, marking the transition of the terrain into a managed recreation area. Small clusters of homes at Tannersville and Ridgedale illustrate the early 20th-century settlement patterns of Smyth County before modern expansion.