1967 Map of Smith Mountain Dam

About this map

Smith Mountain Dam anchors this mid-century landscape where the Roanoke River and Blackwater River converge to form the sprawling Smith Mountain Lake. This survey captures the region during a period of transition, following the creation of the reservoir which reshaped the geography of Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania Counties. The map details the intricate shoreline of the lake and its many inlets, such as Craddock Creek and Witcher Creek, while also showing Leesville Lake downstream. Settlement patterns are concentrated around rural hubs like Dundee, Kasey, and Graves Store. Local heritage is preserved through the locations of numerous family cemeteries and country churches, including Patmos Ch and Thomas Chapel. Steep terrain features like Smith Mountain and Broad Ridge tower over the water, defining the physical boundary between the three counties.