1952 Map of Leighton

About this map

Cumberland National Forest dominates this section of the Kentucky hills, where the boundaries of Estill, Jackson, Lee, and Owsley counties converge. The 1952 landscape is one of isolated hollows and ridge-top settlements, with small rural schools like Pond Sch and Salt Rock Sch serving local families. Industrial activity is concentrated in the northern ridges, marked by numerous oil wells and a namesake Silver Mine near Cavanaugh Creek. Transport follows the winding paths of Station Camp Creek and its many forks, connecting small communities such as Alumbaugh and Leighton. High points are guarded by fire observation posts, including the Drip Rock Lookout Tower and Old Orchard Lookout Tower, reflecting the era's focus on timber management and forest protection within the national forest system.