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1939 Map of Joppa

Name: 1939 Topographic Map of Joppa
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

The Holston River winds through the southern portion of this landscape, carving deep oxbows like Shoe Bend and Vineyard Bend along the boundary of Grainger and Jefferson counties. This 1939 Tennessee Valley Authority survey captures a rural Appalachian economy defined by decentralized general stores and community focal points such as Massengill Mill and Peeks Mill. The presence of CCC Camp No 8 and the Buffalo Springs Fish and Game Preserve reflects the era's conservation efforts and public works projects near the community of Tampico.

Genealogists and local historians can trace family locations through named landmarks like the Fielden Store, Roach Store, and Hammer Store, along with numerous rural schools including Morgan Sch and Indian Ridge Sch. Notable geological features like Indian Cave and the series of ridges comprising the Poor Valley Knobs and Richland Knobs dictate the settlement patterns of the day, funneling homesteads into the fertile gaps and creek valleys.