1900 Map of Hiwassee River from Report to Congress

Image 12 of 14

From TeVA description: This final report of surveys of the Hiwassee River in Tennessee was given to the House of Representatives of the 56th Congress by the Secretary of War, Elihu Root. There are seven maps depicting various sections of the Hiwassee River and proposed improvements accompanied by a 34-page detailed report. The survey and report were created to highlight potential navigation improvements, specifically to secure a 30-inch navigation depth at the lower points near the mouth of the Ocoee. // Larger version and more maps from the report available for download at https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15138coll23/id/9368/rec/21

Maps are important for historical and genealogical research, but they are crucial for understanding the development of Bradley County across time. 

Maps of the region before the Cherokee Cession show important geographic and topographic landmarks.  County boundary maps show how the county formed from its parents as well as how it existed after its “child” counties were set off.

Researching Bradley County land ownership presents a situation somewhat unique in East Tennessee:  land is described in both metes-and-bounds and townships/ranges/sections, depending on the record.

This is a small selection of maps that will, we hope, provide researchers with a starting point.  One can never have too many maps!