1969 Map of Longdale Furnace

About this map

The Longdale Furnace industrial site and surrounding mountain gaps dominate this late-1960s survey of the Virginia highlands. Situated along Simpson Creek, the area showcases a landscape deeply defined by its transport and resource history, from the Chesapeake and Ohio Grade and Colemans Tunnel in the north to the scattered community clusters of Griffith, Pads, and Nicelytown. The topography is marked by the presence of both the George Washington National Forest and Jefferson National Forest, with North Mountain and Brushy Mountain framing the narrow valleys. Evidence of rural community life is preserved through numerous ecclesiastical landmarks such as Sharon Ch, Lone Star Ch, and Cedar Grove Ch, along with the Sharon Sch. This map documents a period of transition, including 1970s photorevisions that highlight road developments and the established Longdale Recreation Area.