1966 Map of Todd

About this map

The South Fork New River meanders through the heart of the Blue Ridge in this mid-1960s survey, defining the rural landscape of southern Ashe Co and northern Watauga Co. The settlement of Todd serves as a local hub near the confluence of Elk Creek and the river, featuring the Elkland Sch and Blackburn Chapel. The topographic detail reveals a network of mountain communities and ridges, including Old Fields and Bald Mountain, where family-oriented history is preserved through numerous rural churches like Bethany Ch and Mission Home Ch. The map notably tracks the Railroad Grade Road as it follows the river's winding path toward Fleetwood, tracing the route of former rail infrastructure that once drove the local economy. From the elevations of Rich Mtn to the riverside flats at Brownwood, this survey captures a period of stable mountain life before modern development altered the character of these high-country corridors.