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1956 Map of Gatlinburg

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Gatlinburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Gatlinburg and the surrounding wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park appear here during a period of transition, following field checks by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the USGS in the early 1940s. The map captures the settlement of Elkmont along the Middle Prong Little River, an area with deep roots in the region's logging and early tourism history. Educational and spiritual centers of the community are noted, including Banner Sch and Valley View Ch.

The landscape is defined by the sharp rise of Cove Mountain and Meigs Mountain, with administrative infrastructure like the Park Headquarters and Sugarlands Ranger Station establishing a permanent federal presence. Notable landmarks such as Laurel Falls and the Milsap Picnic Grounds reflect the park's development as a public destination. Scattered mountain hamlets like Starkeytown remain visible, providing researchers with evidence of pre-park habitation and the early footprint of modern gateway tourism.