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1940 Map of Hot Springs

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Hot Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

Hot Springs serves as the focal point of this mountainous region, situated along a sharp bend of the French Broad River. The landscape is dominated by the Bald Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, with the state line between Tennessee and North Carolina traversing the high ridges of Ricker Mountain and Paint Mountain. Small, isolated settlements like Stackhouse and Runion are tucked into the narrow river valleys, while local life is anchored by several rural churches and family burial grounds, including the Odd Fellows Cem and Click Cem.

The topography transitions from the river's edge up to prominent heights like Rich Mountain and Lovers Leap Ridge. Early transportation and community patterns are evident in the placement of landmarks such as Allenstand and Hurricane, which developed near gaps like Allen Gap and Hurricane Gap. This survey documents a rugged mountain economy where small pockets of habitation such as Shaleville and Courtland Place persisted despite the challenging terrain.