1967 Map of Oates

About this map

Oates sits at the heart of this landscape where the Iron and Reynolds County line cuts through the Clark National Forest. In the late 1960s, the region's topography is defined by narrow hollows and high ridges like Mack Ridge and Ironton Ridge. Industrial activity is marked by the Buick Mine in the northwest, which features a dedicated sewage disposal pond. The settlement pattern reflects deep-rooted community ties, evidenced by numerous family burial grounds including Stricklin, Asher, and Webb cemeteries. Water sources are abundant, from the Black River to smaller flows like Strother Creek and Brushy Creek. Notable landmarks include the Oates Lookout Tower and the Pleasant Union Church, while leisure areas like the Bell Mtn Vista Picnic Area and a Proposed Trail suggest a shift toward recreational forest use.