1934 Map of Mecca

About this map

Starr Mountain dominates this mid-1930s landscape, forming a massive central ridge that divides the settlements of Mecca and Tellico Plains within the Cherokee National Forest. The map captures a transition period for rural Tennessee, where the Tennessee Valley Authority and USGS collaborated on high-detail aerial photography to document the complex terrain of the Unaka Range. On the eastern slopes, White Cliff Springs stands as a focal point, while numerous small churches and schools serve isolated mountain communities. The local economy is grounded in the water power of the many branches and creeks, evidenced by structures such as Oldman Mill on Shoal Creek and Harns Mill along the Conasauga Creek. This survey provides a distinct record of the road network before modern highway development, highlighting routes like the Springtown Road and Hatter Road that connected family farms to local centers like Wesley Chapel.