1926 Map of Pounding Mill

About this map

The rugged intersection of the McDowell Co Tazewell Co line and the state border defines this 1926 study of the Appalachian highlands. High peaks like Bearwallow Knob and the sprawling Stone Ridge dominate the landscape, while human settlement follows the narrow hollows carved by the Dry Fork and Big Creek. The Norfolk and Western RR winds through the southwestern corridor, connecting small mountain communities such as Bandy and Vandyke to the broader regional economy. Numerous rural educational sites, including the George Camp School and Rivermont School, are scattered across the terrain, illustrating the decentralized nature of early twentieth-century mountain life. The presence of the Hartwell Valleycreek PO near the state line serves as a focal point for the local community, while settlements like Sayersville and Squire mark the deep integration of residents into this dissected plateau.