1950 Map of Elliston

About this map

Bent Mountain and the high ridges of the Blue Ridge define this landscape, where the headwaters of the South Fork Roanoke River and the Little River carve through the borderlands of Montgomery, Roanoke, Floyd, and Franklin counties. In the early 1950s, the region maintained a rural character shaped by significant elevation changes, with the Appalachian Trail winding across the southern slopes near Check High Sch. The Norfolk and Western railway and the Virginian line follow the valley floor through Elliston and Shawsville, supporting small communities like Lafayette and Riverside. This survey captures the transition from valley floor settlements to upland plateaus, where isolated churches like Kittingers Chapel and Mt Olivet Ch served dispersed mountain residents. Cultural landmarks such as the YMCA Camp and Camp Kiwanianna highlight the area's mid-century role as a recreational retreat, while several scenic overlooks along the southern heights provide views across the Blackwater River drainage.