Loading map...

1956 Map of Melvine

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Melvine
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Sequatchie Valley carves a deep linear trough through this portion of the Cumberland Plateau, creating a landscape defined by sharp elevation shifts along the Cumberland Escarpment. The valley floor is dotted with small rural hubs like Melvine, Litton, and Ninemile, where settlement patterns follow the Sequatchie River and the Alvin C York Highway. The map reveals a dense network of family-named landmarks and community institutions, including Patton Sch and churches such as Swafford Chapel and Red Hill Ch.

High above the valley, the terrain transitions to the heavily wooded ridges of Walden Ridge and the complex topography of Worthington Knob and Lee Knob. Numerous remote burial grounds, such as Stephens Cem, Gentry Cem, and Burdett Cem, are tucked into the hollows and gaps, providing a detailed record of the region's mid-century genealogy. The presence of an Airway beacon near Walker Knob highlights the area's importance for early aerial navigation along the plateau's edge.