1958 Map of Chatham Hill

About this map

The North Fork Holston River snakes through the deep corridor of Rich Valley, carving a complex path between the massive ridges of Brushy Mountain and Walker Mountain. This mid-century Tennessee Valley Authority survey captures a landscape defined by isolated rural settlements and numerous family cemeteries, such as the Buchanan Cem and Hubble Cem, tucked into the hollows of the Jefferson National Forest. The road network of the era is anchored by the Blue Grass Trail and the Buchanan Highway, connecting small communities like Chatham Hill and Tannersville. To the south, the terrain rises toward Mollys Knob and the developed recreational grounds of Hungry Mother State Park, where Hungry Mother Lake sits at the base of Little Brushy Mtn. The map reveals a high density of small mountain chapels and landmarks like Big Cave, reflecting the localized social geography of these Appalachian ridges.