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1979 Map of Gatlinburg

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Gatlinburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Gatlinburg is the central hub of this late-1970s survey, showing a landscape defined by the transition from a growing mountain town to the protected wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The map documents the expansion of tourism infrastructure, featuring a Ski Slope, the Sugarlands Visitor Information Center, and multiple housing developments like Chalet Village and Greystone Heights. To the west, the rugged terrain of Cove Mountain and the West Prong Little Pigeon River valley contain older traces of settlement, including Covemont Ch and several family burial sites such as Crowson Cem and Banner Cem.

The southern portion of the map covers the historic Elkmont area, noting the Amphitheater Elkmont Ranger Station and various campgrounds. The intricate network of ridges and gaps, from Huskey Gap to Fighting Creek Gap, illustrates the challenging topography that shaped local travel before modern park roads. Smaller enclaves like Starkeytown remain tucked into the hollows, preserving the names of the families who settled these slopes long before the park's establishment.