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1954 Map of Nolansburg

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Nolansburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Pine Mountain and Black Mountain dominate this mid-century view of Harlan County, where narrow valleys dictate the pattern of settlement and industry. The Louisville and Nashville railroad tracks follow the course of Poor Fork, connecting coal-centric communities like Nolansburg (Splint PO), Laden, and Putney. Extensive tracts of the Kentenia State Forest cover the steep ridges, interspersed with lookout towers and small mountain gaps such as Shell Gap and Jacks Gap.

Local life is recorded through a network of small landmarks, including the Little Laurel Community Ch, Upper Abner Branch Sch, and the Harlan Airport near Rhea Ch. The map captures the dual identity of the region, where extractive industry and rail transport coexist with deep-woods isolation. Researchers will find numerous family-named hollows and branches, alongside established coal camps like Highsplint and Benito along the Cumberland River.