2016 Map of McDowell

About this map

McDowell and East McDowell anchor this 2016 survey of the Kentucky coalfields, where steep-walled hollows and narrow creek bottoms dictate the pattern of human settlement. The landscape is defined by the branching waters of Mud Creek and the Left Fork Beaver Creek, which channel development into tight corridors along the valley floors. Family history is etched into the terrain through numerous named cemeteries, including Lee Alley Cem and the Thomas Hamilton Cem, tucked away in the higher elevations. Small mountain communities like Teaberry, Galveston, and Beaver are linked by winding routes such as Hoods Fork Rd and Neds Fork Rd. The topography is dominated by notable heights such as Rough Knob and Signal Knob, while the intricate network of drainage is marked by evocative names like Indian Grave Hollow and Stonecoal Hollow.