For most of the 19th and early 20th centuries , the Norris area remained sparsely populated .
Several coal company towns formed in the late 19th century at the base of Cross Mountain just a few miles to the west .
For most of the 19th and early 20th centuries , the Norris area remained sparsely populated , although several coal company towns formed in the late 19th century at the base of Cross Mountain just a few miles to the west .