1968 Map of Jewell Ridge

About this map

Jewell Ridge and the surrounding coalfields of the Buchanan Co Tazewell Co line are defined here by a dense network of strip mines and extraction infrastructure. The landscape is a complex system of ridges like Whiteplace Ridge and Sugar Cove Mountain, where the Norfolk and Western railroad tracks follow the winding paths of Dismal Creek and its tributaries to serve remote settlements. This 1960s survey, updated in the late 1970s, captures the industrial footprint of the era, from the conveyor systems at Coaldan to the numerous strip mines dotting the slopes of Sandy Ridge. Beyond the industry, the map documents the community life of the hollows, preserving the locations of local landmarks such as Jewell Camp Chapel, Stevenson Smith Ch, and the Jewell Valley Sch. Small family and community plots including Sawyer Cem and Boyd Cem are scattered across the terrain, offering vital data for genealogical research in this part of Appalachia.