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1940 Map of Ten Mile

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Ten Mile
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1940
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1940

About this map

The Tennessee River winds through the heart of the Tennessee Valley in 1940, defining the borders where Roane, Meigs, and Rhea counties meet. This survey captures a landscape undergoing significant change as the Watts Bar Reservoir begins to shape the river's character. The valley is dotted with small rural centers like Ten Mile and Cross Key, supported by local institutions such as Ten Mile Sch and Cross Key Chapel.

A network of family-named landmarks and cemeteries, including Deatherage Cem and Ewing Cem, reveals the deep genealogical roots of the region. Distinctive terrain features like Ten Mile Knob and the many hollows such as Possumtrot Hollow provide a detailed look at the topography of the Ten Mile Valley before modern development. The map also records early infrastructure with Surprise and Iron Hill positioned along regional roads, while remnants of the river's original state appear at White Creek Shoals.