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1946 Map of Pilot Mountain

Name: 1946 Topographic Map of Pilot Mountain
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

The Southern Railroad winds through the eastern valley of Morgan County, following the base of Buck Ridge and passing the settlement of Sunbright. This 1940s topography, derived from aerial photographs and field examinations by the Tennessee Valley Authority, illustrates a landscape transitioning from resource extraction to managed infrastructure. Evidence of energy exploration is visible in Oil Wells Hollow and at several scattered Oil Well sites, while the presence of an Abandoned Tunnel north of Annadel speaks to the evolution of the rail line.

The map is a vital resource for genealogists, as it identifies several family-named landmarks and places of worship, including Stringfield Chapel, Mt Zion Ch, and Byrd Ch. Small burial grounds like Davie Cem, Hawn Cem, and Fostner Cem are tucked into the drainages of Rock Creek and Puckett Branch. The Pilot Mtn Lookout Tower stands as a sentinel over the surrounding Tennessee Valley and the divide between the local creek systems.