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1961 Map of Shady Grove

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Shady Grove
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

Douglas Lake dominates the central landscape of this 1961 survey, where the rising waters of the French Broad River transformed the topography of Jefferson and Sevier Counties. The map reveals a complex shoreline marked by numerous coves and branches, such as McCracken Branch and Perry Branch, which have reshaped the traditional valley settlements. Several boat docks, including Lakefront Dock and Weaver Dock, indicate the area's mid-century shift toward a reservoir-based economy.

Genealogists will find significant value in the high density of family-named landmarks and rural institutions located just beyond the inundation line. Communities like Shady Grove, Sandy Ridge, and Fair Garden are documented alongside numerous country churches and cemeteries. From the Mullins Chapel near the river's bend to the New Center Sch in the south, the map captures the social infrastructure of a region navigating the presence of the Tennessee Valley Authority dams and the preservation of upland landmarks like English Mountain.