1972 Map of Linden

About this map

The Shenandoah River snakes through the northern portion of this 1970s orthophotograph, providing a stark visual record of the Virginia landscape as it appeared in early spring. This unique aerial perspective, captured by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia, offers a different level of detail than traditional topographic drawings, emphasizing land use, vegetation density, and the winding road networks of the Blue Ridge foothills. The settlement of Linden sits prominently near the center, while Markham is visible to the east. By studying the contrast between the dark wooded ridges and the lighter, cleared agricultural patches, researchers can trace the footprint of rural development during this era, noting the precise alignment of transportation corridors and the layout of individual properties along the river valley.