2016 Map of Joppa

About this map

Holston River meanders sharply through this landscape, creating a series of dramatic bends and shoals along the border of Grainger and Jefferson counties. The river's path is defined by distinctive landforms such as Horse Shoe Bend, Smoky Island, and Smoky Shoals, while the northern portion of the map is dominated by the Richland Knobs and the deeply recessed Poor Valley. This area is densely populated with family cemeteries and small rural settlements like Buffalo Springs and Tampico, indicating a long-established agricultural community where local genealogy is etched into the terrain. The influence of the river on infrastructure is evident in landmarks like the John K Shields Bridge and the Landing at River's Edge Airport. Small springs, including Indian Cave Spring and Sulphur Spring, dot the valleys, serving as vital natural resources for the dispersed homesteads and farms surrounding Joppa and Massengill Mill.