1968 Map of Laurel Springs

About this map

The South Fork New River carves a winding path through the high country of the Blue Ridge, serving as a geographic anchor for the rural communities of Ashe and Alleghany Counties in the late 1960s. This survey illustrates a landscape defined by its network of country churches, including Liberty Hill Ch, New Hope Ch, and Mt Zion Church, which acted as local hubs for the surrounding farmsteads. The terrain rises sharply from the river valley toward prominent peaks such as Peach Bottom Mountain and Franks Knob, while the Parkway skirts the southern edge of the quadrangle. Small settlements like Scottville, Furches, and Laurel Springs are connected by narrow roads such as Hoke Wagoner Road, tracing the drainage patterns of Cranberry Creek and Nathans Creek. A single Quarry and the landmark Ore Knob suggest the area's geological and industrial history amidst its predominantly agricultural character.