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2016 Map of Elk Mills

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Elk Mills
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Watauga Lake dominates the upper reaches of this mountain landscape where the borders of Johnson, Carter, Avery, and Watauga counties converge. This area is characterized by high ridges like Sink Mtn and Stone Mountains, where small family cemeteries and crossroads communities maintain a presence along the river valleys. The winding course of the Watauga River and Elk River dictates the placement of settlements such as Buntontown and Elk Mills.

Genealogists will find a high density of small burial grounds, including Grindstaff Cem, Crosswhite Cem, and Old Mountain View Cem, often located on high ground above the hollows. The transition from the Cherokee National Forest to the Pisgah National Forest highlights the managed nature of this mountainous terrain, where old roads like Banjo Ridge Rd and Dark Hollow Rd provide access to the steep interior.