1959 Map of Rural Retreat

About this map

Rural Retreat serves as the primary hub of this Wythe County landscape, situated along the Norfolk and Western railroad corridor. The area’s transportation history is deeply etched into the topography, with the Lee Highway and the Mountain Empire Airport supporting local transit through the Tenn Valley. North of the settlement, the Jefferson National Forest covers the ridges of Walker Mountain, where the Walker Mountain Lookout Tower stands near Redding Gap. The rural character of the mid-20th century is evident in the numerous country churches and crossroads, such as Groseclose, Staley Crossroads, and Mt Olive Ch. Recreational and wilderness routes are represented by the Appalachian Trail winding through the northern ridges. This Tennessee Valley Authority survey provides clear evidence of the region's agricultural and transit-based economy before the full impact of modern interstate development altered the local valley patterns.