1938 Map of Laurel Bloomery

About this map

The Iron Mountains dominate this 1938 survey, where the border between Virginia and Tennessee cuts through the high ridges of the Jefferson National Forest and Cherokee National Forest. This pre-war landscape is defined by its small, scattered settlements and the early infrastructure of the Appalachian Trail. The presence of the CCC Camp Mc Arthur near Sutherland reflects the era's massive public works projects within the national forests. Local life centers on rural institutions like Pleasant Home Ch and several small schoolhouses, including Sutherland Sch and Wills Sch. The topography is exceptionally detailed, featuring landmarks like Backbone Rock and the drainage patterns of Beaverdam Creek, which dictated the location of early communities such as Laurel Bloomery and Shingletown.