Loading map...

1977 Map of Roanoke

Name: 1977 Topographic Map of Roanoke
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1983
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1983

About this map

Roanoke and its surrounding suburbs appear in striking aerial detail during the late 1970s, showcasing the dense urban grid transitioning into the surrounding valley landscape. The city's industrial and residential expansion is clearly visible, concentrated south of the prominent Read Mountain and east of Lick Run. The imagery captures the critical path of the Roanoke River as it winds through the southern portion of the quadrangle, serving as a geographic anchor for the region's development.

To the north and east, smaller settlements like Hollins, Overdale, and Vinton are shown integrated into the transport and water networks. The orthophoto format provides an unfiltered look at the land use of the era, from the clearings at the foot of Tinker Mountain to the reservoir area near Carvin Creek. This perspective allows for the study of how topographic features like Brushy Mountain influenced the outward growth of the Roanoke metropolitan area.