1965 Map of Thornton Gap

About this map

Skyline Drive snakes along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountain, serving as the central artery for this section of Shenandoah National Park. The landscape is defined by the high-elevation traverse between Elkwallow Gap and Thornton Gap, where travelers transitioned from the winding ridge road to the crossing at U.S. 211. While much of the terrain is dedicated to the park's recreational infrastructure, including the Elkwallow Shelter and Piedmont Picnic Area, the presence of the Morning Star Ch and scattered Cem labels near the park boundaries point to the earlier rural communities that occupied these hollows before the park's establishment. The drainage patterns of the Thornton River and Hazel River carve deep into the eastern slopes, creating distinctive features like Little Devils Stairs and White Rocks. This survey highlights the mid-century development of the park's facilities, from the Park Headquarters to numerous overlooks like Jeremys Run Overlook.