1970 Map of Orlean

About this map

The agrarian highlands of Big Cobbler Mtn and Little Cobbler Mtn dominate this 1970 snapshot of Fauquier County, where the settlement pattern follows the intricate drainage of Thumb Run and Carter Run. At this time, the landscape was a mosaic of woodlots and fields, many bounded by the fine red dashed lines indicating fence and field lines visible on aerial photography. Small communities like Orlean and Hume serve as local hubs, anchored by spiritual centers such as Leeds Ch and Mount Nebo Ch. Evidence of early commerce and local industry remains in the form of Jerrys Shop, Wilsons Store, and the site of Vernon Mills. The Southern rail line cuts through the northeastern corner near Morgantown, while numerous family cemeteries (marked Cem) are scattered across the slopes of Swains Mountain and Thumb Run Mtn, providing a rich resource for genealogical research.