1936 Map of Gatlinburg

About this map

Great Smoky Mountains National Park dominates the lower half of this mid-1930s landscape, just as the park was entering its early years of federal development. To the north, the small mountain settlement of Gatlinburg is shown at an elevation of 1,292 feet, centered on the West Fork Little Pigeon River. The map reveals a network of mountain roads and paths, including Tenn State Hwy No 71 and the high-elevation Gibson Trail. Rural community life is anchored by landmarks like Covemont Sch and the Husky Grove Ch, while family-named terrain like Clabo Ridge and Ownby Hollow speaks to the deep-rooted genealogy of Sevier County. This survey, compiled from aerial photographs by the Tennessee Valley Authority and USGS, serves as a record of the area before the full expansion of modern tourism infrastructure.