1960 Map of Iron Mountain Gap

About this map

The Appalachian Trail winds through high elevations along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, crossing the significant Iron Mountain Gap in the southern portion of this 1960 survey. This highland landscape is defined by the intersection of the Cherokee National Forest and the Pisgah National Forest, where steep ridges like Stone Mountain and Iron Mountain drop into narrow valleys. Within these hollows, small agricultural settlements and timber communities such as Piney Grove, Tiger Valley, and Clarketown are established. A notable concentration of community life is visible near Hopson, where the Hopson School and several family cemeteries are located. The map also reveals specialized land use, including minnow rearing pools near the center of the sheet and isolated mountain water bodies like Ripskin Lake and Miller Lake tucked into the Ricebin Ridge area.