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1886 Map of Stevenson

Name: 1886 Topographic Map of Stevenson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1886
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1886

About this map

The Tennessee River serves as the central artery of this 1884 survey, winding between the Cumberland Plateau and Lookout Mountain. This is a landscape defined by the intersection of water and iron, where several major rail lines, including the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and the Nashville Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad, converge at Stevenson. These tracks parallel the river, connecting riverside settlements like Bridgeport and Bellefonte Station to the broader regional economy.

Transportation across the water remained reliant on a series of local crossings, including Long Island Ferry and Sublette Ferry. The terrain is marked by numerous coves and family landmarks such as Coffey's Store and Tutton's Store, providing specific locations for genealogists. Notable geological features like Saltpetre Cave and Nickajack Cave highlight the cavernous nature of the plateau's edge during this era of early Appalachian development.