Founder James Burke thought he had found a new Garden of Eden when he first saw Burke's Garden, the unique basin completely surrounded by mountains in Tazewell County. Called God's Thumbprint by modern poets, the fertile land was carved from the southern Appalachians after centuries of natural erosion. Today its scenic beauty is appreciated and protected by the residents who have settled on the rich farmlands. These early photographs of Burke's Garden, including the first homes and settlers, tell a story of the importance of land and family traditions.