2016 Map of McDowell

About this map

McDowell and Liberty sit within a landscape of steep ridges and deep hollows in Highland County, where the Bullpasture River and Cowpasture River define the local drainage patterns. The terrain is marked by significant elevations like Bullpasture Mtn and Sittlington Hill, with much of the eastern portion managed as part of the George Washington National Forest. The map reveals a dense network of named geographic features that suggest a long history of local land use, from Opossum Hollow in the north to the headwaters of Benson Run in the south. The road system, including the Highland Tpke and various state routes, follows the natural contours of the valleys, connecting these small settlements to the broader Allegheny region. A notable concentration of named hollows like Hiner Hollow and drafts such as Jenny Gwin Draft highlights the complex topography of the Shenandoah Mountain foothills.