2019 Map of East Stone Gap

About this map

Big Stone Gap and its eastern outskirts are defined by the convergence of steep Appalachian ridges and the winding course of the S Fork Powell River. This portion of Wise Co and Scott Co is a landscape where family legacy is preserved in dozens of small burial grounds, including the Dickerson Cem, Barker Cem, and Mullins Cem. Much of the mountainous terrain is managed as the Jefferson National Forest, while the lowland valleys such as Powell Valley and Hunter Valley remain centers of local life. The map reveals the settlement patterns of the late 2010s, showing a mix of established neighborhoods and smaller communities like Cracker Neck, Verdi, and Stanleytown. These settlements follow the contours of the land, hemmed in by prominent features like Stone Mountain and Bell Rock Ridge, reflecting the region's long-standing reliance on its natural geology for both isolation and connectivity.