1935 Map of Eastatoe Gap

About this map

Middle Fork Ch stands as a focal point for the mountain communities along the Blue Ridge crest in the mid-1930s. The Tennessee Valley Authority and U.S. Geological Survey collaborated on this study of the borderlands between North Carolina and South Carolina, where the headwaters of the East Fork French Broad River and Middle Fork French Broad River carve through high-elevation terrain. The map traces the winding route of State Highway No 283 as it follows the river valley beneath Joshua Mtn. Landmarks like Ellicott Rock mark the historic intersection of state lines, while the Fire Tower atop Sassafras Mtn indicates the area's importance for forest management and observation during this period. Local geography is defined by a series of gaps, including Eastatoe Gap and Blue Ridge Gap, which served as traditional passage points through the ridge line.