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1955 Map of Knoxville

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Knoxville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Mt Mitchell and Clingmans Dome anchor this expansive mid-century view across the Southern Appalachians, capturing the region during a period of significant hydroelectric development and forestry management. The landscape is defined by the massive reservoirs of the Tennessee Valley Authority, including Fontana Lake, Douglas Lake, and Hiwassee Lake, which reshaped the river valleys of the French Broad River and its tributaries. This era shows the established footprint of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the adjacent Cherokee Indian Reservation, with the rising tourism gateways of Gatlinburg and Bryson City clearly marked.

Industrial and residential hubs like Knoxville, Maryville, and Asheville stand out as primary population centers connected by a developing mountain road network. Beyond the towns, the map details the vast reaches of the Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest, illustrating how these public lands preserved the high ridges of the Blue Ridge and Balsam Mountains while the valleys below transitioned toward modern infrastructure.