1960 Map of Watauga Dam

About this map

Watauga Lake dominates the landscape of this 1960 revision, its waters filling the deep valleys between the Iron Mountains and Pond Mountain. The map illustrates the profound transformation of the region following the construction of the Watauga Dam, featuring the relocated settlement of Butler and the Butler Memorial Bridge spanning the reservoir. The rugged topography of the Cherokee National Forest is detailed with numerous gaps and ridges, including Maple Springs Gap and Mays Ridge. Local history is preserved through a dense network of family cemeteries like Matherly Cem and Wagner Cem, alongside rural social hubs such as Watauga School and Elk River Church. The iconic Appalachian Trail winds along the western ridges, providing a recreation-oriented contrast to the scattered industrial activity of a northern strip mine.