2022 Map of Williamsville

About this map

The confluence of the Bullpasture River and the Cowpasture River anchors this study of a mountainous stretch along the border of Bath and Highland Counties. In the small settlement of Williamsville, the valley floor provides a base for local life, while the surrounding landscape is defined by the steep ridges of Bullpasture Mtn and Shenandoah Mountain. This 2022 survey documents the intersection of rural heritage and wilderness within the George Washington National Forest, where family history is preserved at sites like the Lockridge Family Cem and the Wilson Cem near the northern boundary. The terrain is characterized by numerous "drafts"—deep, narrow valleys like Lick Draft and Barracks Draft—that funnel water from the highlands down to the river system. These drainage patterns influenced the placement of early routes and homes, including the community of Patna and the Laurel Gap Church of the Brethren.