1946 Map of Zirconia

About this map

Lake Summit and the Green River define the terrain of the Blue Ridge and Saluda Mountains along the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. This 1946 field examination by the Tennessee Valley Authority captures a landscape shaped by hydroelectric development, featuring a Power Plant and Surge Tank downstream from the lake. The settlement of Tuxedo serves as a local hub along the Southern railroad line, while the Dixie Highway provides a primary automotive corridor through the valley. This era was marked by a concentration of recreational and youth camps, including Camp Greystone, Camp Noahs Ark, and Elks Club Camp. Further south, the map reveals the rural community of Merrittsville and the North Fork Ch near the banks of the North Fork Saluda River, illustrating the persistence of mountain settlements near the state line.