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1960 Map of Iron Mountain Gap

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Iron Mountain Gap
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Appalachian Trail traces the high ridgelines of the Tennessee-North Carolina state line in this 1960s study, navigating the boundary between the Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest. The landscape is defined by the steep descent from Iron Mountain toward the Little Doe River valley, where small rural settlements like Tiger Valley and Piney Grove are situated.

Genealogists will find a high density of family burial grounds and community landmarks, including Whitehead Cem, Cable Cem, and Hopson Sch. The map reveals a mountain economy transitioning into recreational use, as seen in the development of Ripshin Lake and Hall Lake alongside the Old Road that traverses Iron Mountain Gap. This record captures the intricate network of hollows—such as Stillhouse Hollow and Chambers Hollow—that sheltered isolated mountain communities for generations.