1970 Map of Ferncliff

About this map

The South Anna River winds through this rural landscape along the boundary where Louisa, Fluvanna, and Goochland counties meet. In the early 1970s, the area's development centered on small crossroads settlements and community hubs like Bells Crossroads, Butlers Store, and Shannon Hill. The prevalence of community landmarks such as Byrd Chapel, Macedonia Ch, and Galilee Ch underscores a deep-rooted social fabric tied to local parishes and family-named centers like Byrd Mill. Interstate 64 bisects the terrain, featuring a Rest Area that represents the mid-century modernization of this Piedmont region. The topography is defined by numerous small waterways, including Rattlesnake Run and Venable Creek, which drain into the river system. This survey documents the transition from a purely agricultural and mill-based economy toward the infrastructure of the interstate era while preserving the names of old country stores and church sites.