1968 Map of Alum Ridge

About this map

Little River winds through the northern reaches of this Virginia landscape, marking a deeply dissected terrain of ridges and creek valleys late in the 1960s. The settlement pattern is defined by small, upland communities such as Alum Ridge and Carthage, where social life centered on numerous country churches including Alum Ridge Ch and Pleasant Valley Ch. The map reveals a high density of rural cemeteries and family-named landmarks, like Sowers Cem and Wangle Junction, which offer significant value for genealogical research. The prominence of Wills Ridge dominates the central topography, influencing the flow of several drainages like Beaver Creek and Spurlock Creek. This survey captures the region just before the expansion of modern road networks significantly altered these traditional Appalachian community boundaries.