1959 Map of Rural Retreat

About this map

Rural Retreat serves as a central hub in this mid-century portrait of southwestern Virginia, where the Norfolk and Western railway and the Lee Highway corridor dictate the flow of commerce and transit. The landscape is defined by the significant topographic barrier of Walker Mountain, topped by the Walker Mountain Lookout Tower, which separates the northern Rich Valley from the southern settlements. This survey captures a rural economy in transition, featuring the Mountain Empire Airport and a drive-in theater alongside established community landmarks like Staley Crossroads and Old Mt Airy. Smaller hamlets such as Groseclose and Kinder are mapped in detail, while the Appalachian Trail winds through the Jefferson National Forest, tracing the high ridges above the Holston River headwaters.