1965 Map of Big Levels

About this map

Big Levels dominates the high plateau of the George Washington National Forest, where the complex ridge-and-valley topography of Augusta and Nelson counties meets. In the mid-1960s, this area supported both heavy industry and growing recreation. The map records several mines and claypits scattered along the slopes of Mine Bank Mtn and Turkey Pen Ridge, while the Blue Ridge Parkway traces the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains. Recreational hubs like Shenandoah Acres and Sherando Lake are prominent, along with established sites such as Camp Thunderbird and the Kennedy Fields Campgrounds. Local heritage is anchored by landmarks like Rankin Ch and the White Rock Cem, alongside numerous overlooks including The Slacks Overlook and The Priest Overlook that provide vantage points over the Saint Marys River and its surrounding peaks.