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1954 Map of Kite

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Kite
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Beaver Creek and its many winding forks carve through the landscape of eastern Kentucky, defining a network of hollows that dictated the settlement patterns of the mid-20th century. This area, spanning the borders of Knott, Floyd, and Letcher counties, shows a high density of rural schoolhouses and neighborhood churches established along the creek banks. Places like Kite, Pippa Passes, and Topmost are linked by a complex web of mountain roads and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad line.

The presence of numerous education landmarks, such as Mouth of Hollybush Sch and Bill Dees Branch Sch, alongside religious centers like Providence Ch, points to a community built around small, decentralized hubs. Extensive Strip Mine symbols reflect the region's industrial reliance on coal, contrasting with the many family-named cemeteries and landmarks like Beaver Gap that illustrate the deep genealogical roots of the local population.