2019 Map of Guage

About this map

Quicksand Creek carves a winding path through the deeply dissected Plateau on the border of Breathitt and Magoffin counties. This landscape is defined by its small, dispersed settlements like Rousseau, Guage, and Lunah, which follow the narrow valley floors and ridgelines. The mapping reveals a close-knit pattern of family life and local history, evidenced by the numerous small burial grounds including Risner Cem, McQuinn Cem, and Shack Allen Cem. These sites, often situated on high ground overlooking the drainage basins of Big Caney Cr and Steer Fork, provide essential data for genealogical research in this part of Kentucky. The orientation of roads like Quicksand Creek Rd illustrates how the physical geography of the Appalachian foothills has dictated the infrastructure and development of these rural communities into the modern era.