This historical map, titled “Botetourt, 1773–1777,” was created by cartographer Stewart Scales in collaboration with three Virginia Tech students, Emma Dilic, Hannah Crook, and Sarah Cohoon. It was developed to support the Botetourt Resolutions event, illustrating the expansive boundaries of Botetourt County during the years 1773 to 1777, a period when the county extended far beyond its current limits.
The map highlights:
- Historical Botetourt locations (circles) that were within the county’s boundaries during the 18th century, stretching westward into what is now West Virginia and reaching as far as Point Pleasant and Charleston.
- Modern Botetourt County locations (squares) such as Fincastle, Buchanan, and Blue Ridge (Fluke’s)
- A clear distinction between Historical Botetourt boundaries (outlined) and the modern county lines (dashed).
- Prominent rivers and topographical features to help contextualize settlement patterns and frontier travel routes.
This map effectively visualizes how vast and strategically significant Botetourt County once was during the Revolutionary era and provides historical insight into the context of the 1775 Botetourt Resolutions.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
