2016 Map of Speedwell

About this map

Cripple Creek meanders through the central valley of this Wythe County landscape, anchoring a string of historic communities including Speedwell, Collier, and Simmerman. The 2016 survey illustrates a rural Appalachian environment where narrow hollows like Andrews Hollow and Claybank Hollow give way to the prominent ridges of the Jefferson National Forest. This modern record is particularly valuable for genealogists, as it meticulously plots local landmarks like the Zion Church and Zion Cem, alongside the Speedwell Methodist Cem. The transportation network is defined by the Grayson Tpke, which follows the natural gaps in the terrain, such as Dry Run Gap, connecting the highland settlements to Rowe Crossroads. The juxtaposition of established family-named sites like Henley Mtn and Matney Flat against the protected forest boundaries provides a clear picture of contemporary land use in Southwest Virginia.