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1955 Map of Wilder

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Wilder
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

The coal-mining town of Wilder and its neighbor Davidson anchor this mid-century portrait of the Cumberland Plateau's eastern edge. Situated along the Overton and Fentress County border, the landscape is defined by the industrial operations of numerous Strip Mines that follow the winding contours of the hills. The Tennessee Central railroad provides the vital infrastructure for this extractive economy, connecting the remote settlements of Highland and Vine Ridge to broader markets.

Away from the industrial activity, the map records the rural community life of the mid-1950s through its educational and burial sites. Names like Sweetgum Sch and Bills Creek Sch appear alongside family landmarks such as Turner Cem and Goney Cem. The terrain is deeply incised by the East Fork Obey River and its numerous tributaries, including Big Piney Creek and Lost Cane Creek, which carve out isolated features like The Horse Pound and Lints Cove.