1976 Map of Enka

About this map

Asheville serves as the eastern anchor of this 1970s orthophotoquad, which captures the industrial and residential development spreading west through Buncombe County. The settlement of Enka is prominent near the center of the sheet, situated along the corridor of Hominy Creek and the man-made Enka Lake. This transition from urban density to rural valley is bracketed by significant high ground, including Lookout Mountain to the west and Scott Mountain to the southeast. The aerial imagery provides a clear view of the mid-century transportation network and industrial footprint in Candler before later decades of suburban expansion. Unlike traditional topographic maps, this rectified photo imagery shows the actual land use and vegetation patterns of the Appalachian foothills in the years following the peak of the local textile industry.