2016 Map of Mendota

About this map

Clinch Mountain forms a formidable physical barrier across this corner of Southwest Virginia, separating the waters of Big Moccasin Creek to the north from the North Fork Holston River valley to the south. The settlement of Mendota sits in the gap between these ridges, serving as a hub for a landscape defined by its narrow hollows and steep gaps like Foley Gap and Fugate Gap. Local life is anchored in family-named landmarks and historical sites, such as the Barker Mill and several small rural cemeteries including Hampton Cem and Sutton Cem. The geography here dictates a linear settlement pattern, with roads like AP Carter Hwy following the riverbanks and winding through valleys like Moccasin Valley and Little Valley. This 2016 survey documents the enduring rural character of the region where the borders of Russell, Scott, and Washington counties converge.