2019 Map of Elk Creek

About this map

Independence sits at the southern edge of this Grayson County landscape, where the Blue Ridge foothills rise toward the high peaks of the Jefferson National Forest. The geography is defined by a dense network of watercourses and ridges, from the winding path of Elk Creek to the prominent heights of Point Lookout Mtn and Buck Mtn. Small settlements like Bennington Mill, Lower Elk Creek, and Comers Rock reflect the region's scattered agricultural and milling heritage, connected by historic routes such as Old Kentucky Rd. Notable landmarks include the Reverend J W Rader Memorial Bridge crossing the creek and the curiously named The Devils Hopper near Low Gap. The map illustrates a contemporary balance between the protected forest lands and the enduring rural communities that follow the valley floors along Peach Bottom Cr and Turkey Fork.