1977 Map of Bent Mountain

About this map

The suburban expansion of Cave Spring meets the high elevations of the Blue Ridge in this late-1970s orthophotograph. While the northern edge shows the developing street grids and residential density of the Roanoke area, the landscape quickly transitions into the steep, wooded terrain of Bent Mountain. This photographic study reveals the stark contrast between the valley's development and the traditional rural patterns maintained along the watercourses. Small settlements like Poages Mill and Naff sit at the crossroads of a complex drainage system, where the Blackwater River and its forks begin their descent. Researchers can trace the clear-cut boundaries of mountain farms and the winding path of Little Back Creek as they negotiate the geography of Simmonds Gap.