2002 Map of Damascus

About this map

Damascus sits at the confluence of several mountain waterways where the South Fork Holston River meets Laurel Creek. This region of Washington County is defined by the tight ridges of Widener Valley and Rhea Valley, which forced early settlement and industry into narrow corridors along the rivers. The map documents a surviving network of water-powered heritage, including Mock Mill, De Busk Mill, and Vails Mill, reflecting the long-standing reliance on local milling in these Appalachian valleys. The landscape is also marked by historic transport and crossings like Drowning Ford and Mast Bridge. Higher elevations are protected within the Jefferson National Forest, where the Appalachian Trail and Iron Mountain Trail wind through the Jefferson Mountains, passing peaks such as The Cuckoo.