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1938 Map of Hilton

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Hilton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Dorton Fort stands as a notable landmark in this landscape of southwestern Virginia, where the terrain is defined by the steep, parallel ridges of Moccasin Ridge and Clinch Mountain. The map illustrates a rural society organized around narrow valleys and gaps, with transportation following the natural contours of Moccasin Creek and the North Fork Holston River. Along the southern edge, the Southern railroad line threads through Maces Spring and Hilton, connecting these communities to the regional economy.

Genealogists will find a wealth of local landmarks, from small country schools like Cedar Point Sch to numerous family-named burial grounds including Francisco Cem and Lawson Cem. The reliance on local industry is evident in the placement of McConnell Mill and the Holston River Mill, which utilized the area's many waterways. Numerous mountain gaps, such as Hamilton Gap and Jett Gap, mark the historic transit points between these isolated ridge-top settlements and valley farms.