1961 Map of Quicksand

About this map

The North Fork Kentucky River and Kentucky River dominate the landscape of this Breathitt County survey, where the winding waters dictate the location of roads and rail. The Louisville and Nashville railroad tracks follow the river's path, connecting riverside settlements like Quicksand and Noctor. Significant land use is marked by the Univ of Kentucky Experimental Farm, nestled in a deep river bend. The region's social geography is anchored by numerous small congregations and missions, including the Emanuel Memorial Chapel, Rehoboth Mtn Mission, and Grace Chapel. Higher elevations like Pilot Knob and Bald Hill rise above a dense network of hollows and branches, such as Shucky Bean Hol and Betty Branch. This map documents a rural landscape where family names—seen on sites like the Williams Hill Cem and Hardin Cem—remain deeply tied to the specific topography of the Cumberland Plateau.