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2003 Map of Rafter

Name: 2003 Topographic Map of Rafter
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2004
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2004

About this map

Tellico Lake occupies the northwestern corner of this landscape, a result of the impoundment of the Little Tennessee River and its tributaries. The topography is defined by the heavy ridges of the Cherokee National Forest, including Birchfield Mountain, Harlan Mountain, and Mose Mountain. Small settlements and family clusters like Tellico, Acorn, and Rafter are dispersed through the valleys, often centered around rural institutions such as Ballplay School and Ebenezer Ballplay Church.

The road network, including the Joe Brown Highway and Rafter Road, follows the natural contours of the drainages. Genealogists will find numerous family landmarks, such as Giles Cemetery and Mt Hebron Cemetery, which provide clues to the multi-generational settlement of Monroe County. Notable gaps in the terrain, such as Hells Hole Gap and King Gap, reflect the difficult passage through these ridges before modern engineering.