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1954 Map of Petroleum

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Petroleum
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

The northern edge of Scottsville and the winding basin of Trammel Creek dominate this 1950s landscape along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. The presence of numerous Oil Wells scattered across the ridges north of Petroleum speaks to the region's mid-century mineral extraction, while the surrounding terrain is punctuated by a dense network of country churches and rural schoolhouses. Places like Barefoot and Amos anchor the southern reaches, highlighting small-scale settlements along the county lines of Allen, Macon, and Sumner.

Genealogists will find significant detail in the placement of community centers such as Union Chapel Sch, White Plains Sch, and Macedonia Ch. The map illustrates a transitional period where a traditional rail-and-creek economy, represented by the Railroad and landmarks like Bays Fork, existed alongside an emerging energy landscape. The intricate network of hollows, including Wagoner Hollow and Press Hollow, provides a precise record of the local topography before modern development altered these rural corridors.