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1964 Map of Thunderhead Mtn

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Thunderhead Mtn
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1974
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1974

About this map

The Great Smoky Mountains high country along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina is defined here by the winding Appalachian Trail. During the mid-1960s, this landscape remained a dense network of ridges and deep drainage basins, centered on prominent peaks like Thunderhead Mtn and the well-known Rocky Top. The map reveals the intricate topographic detail of the Smokies before heavy modern foot traffic, showing the primitive state of landmarks such as the Spence Field Shelter and Bote Mountain Road.

Genealogical and historical interest is anchored in the lower elevations and gaps, where the Hall Cem Ruins serves as a physical reminder of the families who inhabited these coves before the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Notable terrain features like Big Chestnut Bald and De Armond Bald highlight the unique high-elevation meadows, while numerous named drainages such as Little River and Sams Creek illustrate the watershed's complexity.