1940 Map of Hewitt

About this map

The Nantahala National Forest landscape shown here reflects the complex meeting of industrial infrastructure and mountain settlement in the 1940s. The Nantahala River serves as the primary corridor for both the Southern RR and the energy operations of the Nantahala Power and Light Co, which maintains a Surge Chamber and Gaging Station near Beechertown. While the river gorge is dedicated to transport and power, the surrounding ridges like the Cheoah Mountains and Snowbird Mts hold isolated communities. Significant genealogical markers are concentrated around Stecoah, including Stecoah Ch, Randolph Cem, and Jenkins Cem. The map also traces a primitive segment of the Appalachian Trail as it crosses Stecoah Gap and winds toward Cheoah Bald, illustrating the early recreational development of the Great Smokies region.