1979 Map of Alberene

About this map

The Soapstone-quarrying legacy of Alberene is etched into the landscape of south-central Albemarle County, where this orthophotograph documents a patchwork of dense timber and cleared clearings at the end of the 1970s. The hydrology of the region is defined by the Hardware River and its major tributaries, including the North Fork and South Fork, which converge near Carters Bridge. Small upland clearings and crossroads like Powell Corner and Red Hill dot the terrain between the river valleys and high points such as Round Top. Unlike a traditional line-drawn map, this photographic survey reveals the actual ground cover and building footprints of the era, providing a realistic view of rural Virginia before modern development intensified. From the waters of Reynolds Lake to the drainage of Eppes Creek, the map highlights the enduring agricultural and residential patterns of this part of the Piedmont.