1940 Map of Spurgeon

About this map

The South Fork Holston River and Watauga River converge in this detailed pre-war study, revealing a landscape defined by sharp river bends and the industrial influence of the Clinchfield railroad. The map records a rural infrastructure of ferries and fords, such as Shipley Ferry and Hall Ford, which served as vital crossing points before modern bridging. Local commerce and community life are anchored by landmarks like the Boone Creek Mill and the Ladies Academy, while the emergence of aviation is marked by Tri-City Airport and McKellar Field in the northeast. Small settlements like Spurgeon, Fordtown, and Gray dot the terrain, which is also characterized by distinctive natural features like Buzzard Cliff and the Free Hill Tunnel cutting through the ridges. This survey captures the transition from a river-dependent agricultural economy to one increasingly connected by rail and air.