James County in 1871

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From TeVA description: This hand-drawn map shows the boundary lines for James County in 1871, the year the county was officially established. The town of Ooltewah (the county seat) is shown, as are Chattanooga and Cleveland situated beyond the boundaries. The total area for James County was approximately 330 square miles. // More information and large version available for free download -- https://teva.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15138coll23/id/9843/rec/24

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!