1951 Map of Leatherwood

About this map

The Buffalo River snakes through the borderlands of Perry and Wayne counties, defining a landscape of deep hollows and sharp ridges in the early 1950s. The small settlements of Flat Woods and Leatherwood serve as local hubs for a rural population connected by numerous fords and bridges, including Big Rock Ford, Slink Shoals Ford, and Mt Olive Bridge. This survey by the Tennessee Valley Authority reveals a tightly knit community structure supported by many family-named landmarks and institutions. Genealogists will find a wealth of records in the scattered country burying grounds, such as Worley Cem, Throgmorton Cem, and Merideth Cem. Educational and spiritual life is anchored by locations like the Old Union Sch, Phillips Sch, and Pope Chapel. The map documents the intricate network of watercourses, from Beech Creek to Green River, that shaped the topography and development of this Middle Tennessee region.