2011 Map of Elk Mills

About this map

Watauga Lake dominates the northern landscape of this terrain, where the Watauga River and Elk River converge near the Tennessee and North Carolina border. The area is characterized by a dense network of mountain communities and family-named landmarks, including Buntontown, Peoria, and Elk Mills. Local history is deeply etched into the topography through numerous burial grounds such as Grindstaff Cemetery, Proffitt Cemetery, and Baker Cemetery. Industrial activity is evident across the ridges, with sites like the Dry Run Mine, Goss Mine, and the Watauga River Mine dotting the hillsides. The southern portion rises toward Buck Ridge, featuring the Buck Ridge Lookout Tower overlooking Flat Springs. This survey documents a landscape where traditional Appalachian settlements and modern recreational assets like the Gregg Boat Dock coexist among the steep hollows and narrow river valleys.