2011 Map of Tiptop

About this map

Abbs Valley and Springville anchor this Tazewell County landscape, where the headwaters of several major regional river systems converge. The terrain is defined by the ridge-and-valley structure of the Appalachian Highlands, featuring East River Mountain and prominent landmarks like Dial Rock and Chimney Rock. This 2011 survey captures the area's intricate network of family burial grounds, including the Sluss, Peery, and Witten cemeteries, reflecting deep-seated genealogical ties to the land. Water management and infrastructure are central to the region, evidenced by the Upper Clinch River Number Eight Dam and the Tazewell Reservoir. The map also documents institutional and industrial sites such as Prison Camp Number 31 near Gratton and the Valley Ridge Lookout Tower, which once served as a vital sentinel for the surrounding timberlands. Small settlements like Wittens Mills, Five Oaks, and Burtons Shop illustrate a decentralized community pattern linked by the North Fork Clinch River.