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1886 Map of Cleveland

Name: 1886 Topographic Map of Cleveland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1886
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1886

About this map

The East Tennessee Virginia and Georgia Railroad serves as the industrial backbone of this 1880s survey, connecting the primary hubs of Cleveland and Athens. The landscape is defined by the convergence of several major water systems, including the Hiwassee River, the Tennessee River, and the Ocoee River, which provided critical transportation routes before the development of extensive modern bridges.

Evidence of a river-dependent economy is visible in the numerous crossing points like Tuckers Ferry and Savannah Ford, alongside industrial sites like Chestua Mills. In the eastern portion of the sheet, the terrain rises sharply toward the heights of Beans Mountain and Oswalds Dome, contrasting with the valley settlements of Benton and Riceville. This map captures a moment when ferry landings and river fords were essential landmarks for commerce and travel across the Tennessee Valley.