1897 Map of London

About this map

Mt. Vernon and the surrounding plateau regions of Laurel and Rockcastle counties are defined by a complex network of river systems and early rail transport. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad serves as the primary artery for the region, splitting into the Knoxville Branch and Central Division to connect remote hamlets like Wildie and Brodhead. This late nineteenth-century landscape is deeply dissected by the winding Rockcastle River and its numerous tributaries, including Horse Lick Creek and the Middle Fork. Named elevations such as Cash Knob and Sutton Knob rise above a rural interior populated by small settlements like Livingston, Bee Lick, and Cedarville. The presence of Gum Sulphur suggests the early importance of local mineral springs, while the intricate topography illustrates the challenges faced by early settlers navigating the Cumberland Plateau.