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2013 Map of McDowell

Name: 2013 Topographic Map of McDowell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2013
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2013

About this map

The Confederate Breastworks stand as a physical reminder of Civil War history overlooking the valleys of Highland County. This landscape is defined by its dramatic ridges and the convergence of several significant water systems, including the Bullpasture River and the Cowpasture River. The small settlements of McDowell, Liberty, and Head Waters are tucked into the lower elevations, connected by narrow mountain roads like State Rte 616 and Liberty Rd.

Topographical features often carry the names of early families and historical usage, seen in labels such as Sittlington Hill, Jenny Gwin Draft, and Signal Corps Knob. The prevalence of "Drafts" and "Hollows," such as Black Gum Draft and Hoop Hole Hollow, indicates a complex drainage pattern that has historically dictated the placement of homesteads and agricultural plots throughout these central Appalachian highlands.