1946 Map of Zirconia

About this map

The Blue Ridge Divide defines the high country of this mid-century survey, where the Southern Railway winds through the village of Zirconia and the settlement of Tuxedo. Water management and recreation dominate the landscape, centered on the Lake Summit and the North Saluda Reservoir, which spans the North Carolina and South Carolina border. The map documents a well-established network of mountain institutions, from the Mountain Valley School to various rural congregations like Zion Hill Church and Holy Creek Church. Local genealogy is well-represented through family-named landmarks and resting places such as Andrews Cemetery and Pace Cemetery. The presence of several summer retreats, including Camp Windy Wood and Camp Arrowhead, signals the region's long-standing transition from isolated mountain hollows to a hub for seasonal tourism and hydroelectric power development.