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1940 Map of Waterville

Name: 1940 Topographic Map of Waterville
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1957
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1957

About this map

Snowbird Mountain and the high ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park dominate this landscape along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. The 1940 field examination reveals a rugged network of gaps and coves where small communities like Tom Town and Midway are tucked between steep peaks. At Waterville, a concentrated industrial footprint is evident near the Pigeon River, featuring a Power Plant and Surge Tank that highlight the era's hydroelectric development.

Researchers will find a wealth of genealogical markers, from family-named burial grounds like Varner Cem and Calder Cem to remote mountain schools including Oak Grove Sch and Bell Hill Sch. The Appalachian Trail follows the high ridgelines through Davenport Gap, passing Peaked Knob as it winds through the Cherokee National Forest. This survey effectively documents the intersection of rural Appalachian settlement and the burgeoning conservation and utility infrastructure of the mid-20th century.