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1969 Map of Great Falls

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Great Falls
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

Great Falls anchors the eastern edge of this landscape, where the Catawba River is harnessed by a series of hydroelectric structures including a powerplant and substation. The industrial character of the river is balanced by rural communities and historical landmarks inland, such as Beckhamville and Rossville. The Seaboard Coast Line railroad traces a north-south path through the hills, connecting the industrial riverfront to the interior. Small country churches like Heath Chapel, Bethesda Ch, and Pleasant Grove Ch suggest the locations of established rural congregations.

Water management defines the terrain, with the Fishing Creek Reservoir and Great Falls Reservoir creating a complex shoreline of islands, including Mountain Island and Big Island. Away from the river, the map reveals a network of smaller waterways like Rocky Creek and Beaverdam Creek. Local industry is evidenced by several claypits and the infrastructure supporting the reservoirs, while community life is represented by Springs Park and the High Sch at Great Falls.