2019 Map of Honaker

About this map

Honaker and its surrounding valleys are defined by a complex network of ridges and river basins along the Buchanan and Russell county lines. The Norfolk Southern railroad follows the natural corridor of Wysor Valley through Hickory Junction and Putnam, highlighting the area's historical reliance on rail transport through the Appalachians. The landscape is densely packed with family-named landmarks and small burial sites, such as the Harvey-Honaker Cem and Robinette Cem, which provide a detailed genealogical record for the region. To the north, the Tennessee Valley Divide marks the transition of the watershed, while to the south, the Clinch River winds through the terrain near Gardner. Numerous hollows like Groundhog Hollow and Wolfpen Hollow score the mountainsides, illustrating the isolated settlement patterns that characterized these Southwest Virginia communities.