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2016 Map of Old Fort

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Old Fort
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Old Fort sits at the base of a dramatic ascent into the Blue Ridge Mountains, serving as a critical gateway where the Catawba River headwaters meet the rising highlands. This 2016 survey highlights a landscape dominated by the Pisgah National Forest and the winding route of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which traces the high ridgelines near Green Knob and Flinty Gap. The map captures the complex topography of the Eastern Continental Divide, featuring notable landmarks such as Andrews Geyser and Point Lookout.

Genealogists and local historians can trace the residential expansion along roads like Ebenezer Rd and Lackey Town Rd, while identifying older landmarks such as the Siloam Cemeteries and the small settlement of Dendron. The transition from the river valley to the peaks is marked by numerous named ridges, including Heartbreak Ridge and Grassy Knob Ridge, reflecting a terrain that has historically dictated transportation and settlement patterns in McDowell County.