1965 Map of Radford North

About this map

The New River winds through this 1960s landscape, serving as a natural boundary and economic artery for the industrial and military developments of the New River Valley. Dominating a large bend in the river is the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, a significant federal installation surrounded by the rural communities of McCoy, Wake Forest, and Belspring. The era's transportation network is defined by the Norfolk and Western railway, which follows the river's path, and the development of Interstate 81 to the south. Local history is preserved through numerous rural landmarks, including Centennial Ch and the Wake Forest Sch, alongside residential growth in Fairlawn and the city of Radford. The contrast between the heavy industrial footprint of the ammunition plant and the protected slopes of Jefferson National Forest to the north illustrates the region's varied land use during the mid-20th century.