1900 Map of Mount Mitchell

About this map

The Blue Ridge divides the landscape of western North Carolina at the turn of the century, separating the headwaters of the Catawba River from the Cane River and South Fork Toe River systems. This survey, conducted by Glenn S. Smith and W.N. Brown, documents a period when the Southern Railway and its Asheville and Salisbury Line were the primary arteries for commerce, serving established settlements like Marion and Old Fort. The map illustrates the early development of Sprucepine and Burnsville before the widespread expansion of mountain roads. Named peaks and gaps like Lanes Pinnacle and Bald Creek Gap provide a detailed look at the topographic obstacles faced by early surveyors. Local heritage is preserved in the location of smaller communities such as Micaville, Pensacola, and Graphiteville, alongside the emerging boundaries of the Pisgah National Forest.