1965 Map of Northwest Eden

About this map

The Smith River snakes through the borderlands of Henry County, Virginia, and Rockingham County, North Carolina, anchoring a landscape defined by the convergence of the Leaksville, Eden, and Spray communities. At the time of this 1960s survey, the region shows the influence of two major rail lines, the Norfolk and Western and the Southern, which facilitated the textile and industrial growth near the river. Along the northern hills, Ridgeway and Irisburg sit amidst a network of small creeks like Leatherwood Creek and Burgess Creek. Significant local landmarks for genealogists and historians include Drewry Mason High School, Roberts Memorial Church, and several rural burial grounds such as Mountain View Cemetery. The terrain is marked by distinctive features like Sheffield Hill and the river's sharp curve at The Bend, documenting the mid-century infrastructure of this North Piedmont corridor.