1957 Map of Wise

About this map

The town of Wise sits at the northern edge of this topographical study, serving as a hub where Yellow Creek and Glade Creek meet amidst a landscape heavily marked by industrial activity. Extensive strip mines dominate the ridges to the north and east, contrasting with the institutional development of Clinch Valley College and the Wise County Memorial Hospital. The southern half of the map shifts dramatically into the protected reaches of the Jefferson National Forest and the Glades Wildlife Management Area, characterized by the high elevations of Pickem Mountain and Guest Mountain. Significant transportation infrastructure, including the Interstate RR and the Lonesome Pine Trail Western, follows the winding course of the Guest River, linking smaller settlements like Esserville, Ramsey, and Tacoma. Local family history is preserved through dozens of small burial grounds, such as Hillman Cem and Easterling Cem, scattered throughout the narrow hollows.