1960 Map of Shady Valley

About this map

Shady Valley occupies a high-altitude basin between the Iron Mountains and the Kettlefoot range, presenting a distinct landscape of mountain farming and timber management. This 1960s-era revision shows the area's transition into a managed wilderness, with the Cherokee National Forest and Jefferson National Forest surrounding the central agricultural valley. A significant stretch of the Appalachian Trail traverses the southern ridges near Low Gap, while the valley floor is dotted with family-named landmarks important to local genealogists, including the Montgomery Cem, Crosswhite Cem, and Gentry Cem. The map records a snapshot of rural infrastructure before modern consolidation, featuring the Shady Valley Sch and several country churches like the Pleasant View Ch. Industrial history is represented by the Brown Gem mine and various strip pits located near the Virginia Tennessee state line.