1916 Map of Bucu

About this map

Buchanan County, Dickenson County, and Russell County converge in this 1916 survey, a region defined by high ridges and a dense network of mountain schools. The landscape is carved by the Russell Fork and Levisa Fork rivers, while the Lumber RR traces the valley floor near Davenport, indicating the era's reliance on timber extraction. Settlement patterns follow the hollows, with small communities like Bucu, Council, and Wilder serving as local hubs. The map is particularly notable for its high density of educational landmarks, recording more than two dozen sites such as Owens School, Presley School, and Harmon School. These features, along with named mountain gaps like Indian Grave Gap and Abners Gap, provide a detailed look at the geographic barriers and social centers of early 20th-century life in the Appalachian highlands.