1955 Map of Pennington Gap

About this map

Little Black Mountain and Lone Mountain dominate this Central Appalachian terrain, where the economy of the mid-1950s is defined by coal production and rail transport. Extensive strip mines are etched into the hillsides above company towns and mining settlements like Bonny Blue, St Charles, and Darbyville. This map reveals the dense settlement patterns typical of the era's mining districts, where small communities were tightly clustered near the work sites and connected by rail spurs like Turners Siding. In the valley floor, the Powell River and North Fork Powell River converge near Pennington Gap, the regional center. Numerous family and community landmarks, including Belcher Chapel, Rocklick Ch, and the Napier Cem, offer significant details for genealogists tracing family roots in Lee and Harlan counties along the Kentucky Virginia border.