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2011 Map of Buchanan

Name: 2011 Topographic Map of Buchanan
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2011
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2011

About this map

Buchanan occupies a critical bend where the James River snakes between the high ridges of Purgatory Mountain and the Short Hills. This 2011 topographic record shows the settlement's relationship to the water, centered around the Buchanan Post Office and connected to the north by the Springwood Truss Bridge. The landscape is defined by its gaps and spurs, such as Cartmell Gap and Green Spur, which have historically dictated the passage of roads and travelers through this part of Botetourt County.

Local historians can trace numerous family-named landmarks and essential community sites, from the Fairview Cemetery to the Springwood Airstrip Gliderport. The map illustrates a complex drainage network including Looney Creek and Jennings Creek, while high-altitude features like the Purgatory Mountain Lookout and the Cove Mountain Shelter highlight the area's role as a gateway to the surrounding peaks.