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2019 Map of Elk Park

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Elk Park
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain dominate this high-elevation landscape along the rugged Tennessee-North Carolina border. The settlements of Elk Park, Banner Elk, and Cranberry are connected by winding mountain roads that follow the path of the Elk River and its numerous tributaries like Buckeye Creek. This 2019 survey shows the area's transition into a modern recreational destination, with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail traversing the western ridges near Hump Mountain and Flint Ridge.

Genealogists and local historians can find a high density of family-named burial grounds across the terrain, including the Harmon, McGuire, and Holtsclaw cemeteries. Remnants of older industry and rural life are scattered throughout, from the Clingman Mine Branch near Kellerville to the isolated community of Farmer Mill. The geography is defined by high gaps and hollows, such as Turkeypen Gap and Dark Hollow, illustrating the difficult passage through the Pisgah National Forest and Cherokee National Forest.