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2019 Map of Paint Rock

Name: 2019 Topographic Map of Paint Rock
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2019
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2019

About this map

The French Broad River carves a deep path through the southern Appalachian borderlands, marking the divide between the Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest. This terrain is defined by its complex ridge-and-hollow topography, where small settlements like Lanceville, Wolf Creek, and Paint Rock are situated along the river's winding course. The map documents the persistent agricultural and social footprint in this vertical landscape, with family burial grounds such as Moore Cem, Jones Cem, and Justis Cem positioned near the scattered homesteads.

Old industrial traces and mountain passages are evident at Gold Mine Gap and along the Meadow Creek Mountains. Transportation is heavily dictated by the river and the gaps, with the Wolf Creek Bridge providing a vital crossing. This survey illustrates how contemporary roads like Houston Valley Rd and Paint Mountain Rd follow the same contours as the historic trails, maintaining a connection to the area's early settlement patterns across the Tennessee and North Carolina state line.