1939 Map of Rankin

About this map

The French Broad River and Nolichucky River converge in this 1939 Tennessee Valley Authority survey, illustrating a landscape defined by its fertile bottoms and ridges before major hydroelectric projects altered the region. The riverside economy is evident at Atchley Mill and Solomon Ferry, while the Southern railroad parallels the water through the French Broad Bottoms. This area, where Cocke, Hamblen, Jefferson, and Greene counties meet, is densely dotted with rural social centers such as Talley Memorial Sch, Rorex Chapel, and the Green Meadows Sch. Local genealogy is preserved through many family-named landmarks and cemeteries like Redwine Cem and Slate Creek Cem. The map documents numerous hollows, such as Moore Hollow and Buckner Hollow, providing a detailed view of upland settlement patterns and small communities like Rankin and Bybee during the late Depression era.