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1919 Map of Harlan

Name: 1919 Topographic Map of Harlan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

Harlan serves as the focal point of this 1916 survey, situated at the confluence of several major drainage systems in the heart of Kentucky's coal country. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad winds along the river valleys, facilitating the movement of resources through mountain gaps. The map reveals a dense network of early 20th-century settlements and mining-related infrastructure, including Wood Sta Blackjoe PO, Kitts, and Coxton.

The landscape is dominated by the massive parallel ridges of Pine Mountain and Cumberland Mountain, which dictate the placement of communities like Wallins Creek and Layman. Significant local landmarks such as School No 10 and Pine Branch School are noted, alongside numerous family-named branches and spurs like John Miniard Br and Toms Spur, providing a detailed look at the rural social geography of the era.