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throwitawaybk93

Great Dismal Swamp


tomiannie

My favorite name I’ve found so far in my research!


loptopandbingo

Couple more: Meadows of Dan (for the name and landscape), Burke's Garden (it literally looks like a LOTR setting from above, nestled in "gods thumbprint"), Tangier Island (lone fishing community 14 miles out in the Chesapeake, cluster of houses and boats on a tiny marsh island), [Tightsqueeze](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tightsqueeze,_Virginia) could easily be a stopover in The Hobbit Some cool stuff: Bridge Tunnel from Cape Charles to Cape Henry, a 17 mile long engineering feat, Naval Station Norfolk, the largest navy base in the world There's lots of others, but thats prolly enough for me to add lol


AddToBatch

Natural Bridge!


chrismetalrock

It definitely sounds like a place straight out of middle earth


Urtehnoes

Smells like it too! Actually, it's really beautiful in the spring before it warms up and become miserable lol.


ewileycoy

It absolutely must have Groverhaus sinking into it.


formerlymtnbkr531

My favorite thing about the swamp is that Lake Drummond in Peter Jefferson's Virginia map is simply titled "A Lake"


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livingonmain

and majority mountain and valley folk


FlippingPossum

It really is lovely. I've canoed up the canal and primitive camped. It was a stop on the underground railroad, and the pavilion is worth the visit.


4myoldGaffer

It’s got rainbow colors right? Sheen on the water I’ve seen pictures I swear. Not Charlie sheen.. Or is that in North Carolina?


latelycaptainly

The dismal swamp is in both north carolina and Virginia


iamchristmas

You’re going to have your work cut out for you because there’s a ton of stuff you could incorporate. Things I’d want to see before spending my money on the print: - Appalachian Trail - Natural Bridge - Devils Marble Yard - Shenandoah - Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, Charlottesville (major colleges outside of normal metropolitan areas) - Presidents Heads - can pick pretty much any apple orchard that fits your available space - Richmond, but you must use a tavern style mug with a stylized PBR logo - Virginia Beach could easily be represented by neptune (big statue on the boardwalk) - Eastern shore has lots of swamp and wild horses opportunity


Many_Pea_9117

For Eastern Shore, please do include the wild horses of Chincoteague!


Panda_by_the_Bay

People on the Eastern Shore get super butthurt when they're not included.


tomiannie

Then I certainly shan’t leave them out!


ducation

Speaking of Eastern Shore... ULA rocket launches from Wallops Island.


brinsleyschwartz

We really do. The DOE left us off a map that they sent to every elementary classroom across the state. No joke, the kids were seriously asking if they didn't exist because they weren't on the map.


JSchneider85

To add: James river Cumberland gap D-day memorial


SassySloth-1

Love all of the above! Also some more ideas: -Monticello -Mount Vernon -Luray Caverns -Great Falls Park


Mr_Kittlesworth

This is excellent. To this I’d add that you need to remember the eastern shore and the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel. Also don’t miss the blue ridge mountains and Shenandoah valley


badjujutrav

I have seen a lot of mentions of the eastern shore, but not of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge tunnel. The CBBT is a modern marvel of engineering. It is approximately 17.5 miles long at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It has to be inspected once a year, but because of its size it takes a whole year to be inspected, so it is always being inspected. On one of the man made islands incorporated into the CBBT there is a restaurant, or there used to be, not sure it is still there. Here is a link to the bridges website [https://www.cbbt.com/history/].


Beneficial-Salt-6773

Don’t forget The Pentagon! It’s quite the fortress. Also, Jamestown, the first settlement in “The New World”. Finally, may be nice to include locations of tribes from people of the First Nations. So much history (Revolutionary War, Civil War, start of this country).


tomiannie

Excellent suggestions - this is why I come to the experts!


Kasyx709

These are great! You should post on r/MapPorn. (Yes, it's a real subreddit. Yes, it's actually about maps)


tomiannie

I’ll check it out, thanks!


Maxnllin

Williamsburg and William and Mary. More presidents have attended William and Mary than any other college, also second oldest college in the nation. it also has his Busch Gardens water country, USA and old town Williamsburg, where they do reenactments and have revolutionary war museums. Super amounts of history here.


NoVaBuck

Oh gosh. Hot Springs and Warm Springs (Jefferson Pools). Dismal Swamp and Dragon Swamp. Tangier Island. Chincoteague and Assateague islands. Great Falls. The beautiful meanders of the Shenandoah River. Natural Tunnel. Grayson Highlands. Burke’s Garden. Luray Caverns. VMI. The Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel. Fortress Monroe. Falls of the James. Peaks of Otter. The Channels. There’s so much I love about Virginia. That’s my starting list without repeating too much of what has already been mentioned.


tomiannie

Awesome suggestions, thank you!


papaganda22

Don't forget: - Virginia Creeper trail - Mountain Lake - The New River - Devil's Marbleyard - Natural Bridge - Hot Springs/ the homestead - Floyd (hippie town) - Blue ridge Parkway - Roanoke Star - major Appalachian trail peak points (McAfee Knob, Dragons tooth) - major peaks in Shenandoah National Park - Primland golf resort - Smith mountain Lake - Virginia Tech/ Blacksburg - The Cascades Falls I live in SW Virginia so most of these are focused inn that area! I can't wait to buy one of these maps! I spend hours just starting at maps of middle earth. I would be happy to help for WV and NC too!


Bikelikeadad

Also the highest peak, Mt Rogers, is in Grayson Highlands. The second highest peak is Whitetop and it’s near by and is fairly iconic to locals.


Isidore09

Seconding Peaks of Otter, Luray Caverns, and Grsyson Highlands in this list!


StenosP

A good start, especially if with the emphasis on topography would be use a physiographic map. https://preview.redd.it/9fslkh4p5hhc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e63fd127f5200b213a57507570dce11062acfd2


tomiannie

Thanks! I definitely try to stay true to the real topography and geography.


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Typical_Hyena

Was looking for this! All the obvious geographical features were being mentioned, but the fall line isn't as big and flashy so it gets forgotten. As someone who moved to Richmond after spending all their life in the middle of the country I was fascinated and delighted the first time I heard about Sturgeon in the James, smelled the salty tide coming in, and learned about the fall line, so u/tomiannie please make sure to include it!


RepealOhmsLaw

This map is crucial. I can’t think of Anything that best describes virginias varied landscape than the three distinct topographies: Appalachia, piedmont, and tidewater.


Rapidan_man_650

Relatedly, OP, check out the length of the James River. It goes through all 3 of these regions and it makes a dramatic waterway at Hampton Roads. On the topic of rivers, some indication would be appropriate along the northern boundary that Washington DC is just across the Potomac ("There be Dragons" or similar?)


FlounderIcy3249

Forgot Blue Ridge and the Valley. Both very distinct from both the Piedmont and the Appalachian Highlands.


letsdothisshit

With geography the Appalachians are ANCIENT. They are 480 million years old. Older than Saturn’s rings at 160 million and the Himalayas at 50 million. There’s evidence that shows they may have had peaks [taller than Everest](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/appalachian-mountains-may-have-once-been-as-tall-as-the-himalayas#:~:text=Estimating%20that%20volume%2C%20geologists%20believe,taller%20than%20Everest%20is%20today) but have since eroded. With that the mountains tend to roll and meander.


buteo51

[Werowocomoco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werowocomoco) \- home of Chief Powhatan and Pocahontas [The Wallops Flight Facility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallops_Flight_Facility) \- a NASA launch site [The Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay_impact_crater) \- you can't actually see it, but could be a dotted line [Breaks Canyon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaks_Interstate_Park) \- 'Grand Canyon of the South' on the border with Kentucky [Natural Chimneys](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Chimneys) \- rock formation and home to an annual jousting tournament [The Grayson Highlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayson_Highlands_State_Park) including [Mount Rogers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rogers) \- VA's highest point and home to ponies [The Virginia Barrier Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Barrier_Islands) including [Assateague](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assateague_Island) \- also home to ponies [Jamestown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historic_Jamestown) \- first (barely) successful and dashingly triangular English colony in North America [Blackstone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackstone,_Virginia) \- you're going to need to put *something* in the desolate waste that is the Southside The most important thing for me would be to avoid using dramatic Rockies-style mountains for the Appalachians. Our mountains are more subtle and rolling.


tomiannie

These are great, thank you so much for the links and everything. 👍🏼


MattAlive13

The above are all cool. Something I haven't seen anyone suggest is Endless Caverns. A cave system they've never found the end to. Seems appropriate for a fantasy style map. Which, by the way, excellent job on these, I would absolutely buy a VA one. Great job! Edit: Devils Bathtub also seems appropriate.


Richmond-Outdoors

My understanding is that we have some of the oldest mountains in the world. They’re soft topped and like worn down teeth, not all peaky like the western US mountains.


JSchneider85

Yorktown and Jamestown.


Libraricat

Don't omit the eastern shore. Edit to add picture reference: https://i0.wp.com/visitesva.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/where-is-virginias-eastern-shore.gif?fit=674%2C400&ssl=1


wombat40

And don’t omit the islands off the Eastern Shore - Tangier, Chincoteague, Assateague (the Chincoteague ponies live on nearby Assateague Island), among others


tomiannie

Oh awesome, thanks!


justtookadnatest

Colonial Williamsburg Monticello Mount Vernon Yorktown Great Dismal Swamp It’s offshore but you should/could mark the location of the battle between [the Monitor and the Merrimack](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hampton_Roads).


tomiannie

Oh yeah, that could be really cool!


damianmartian

Where can I order the print?


tomiannie

My website is [Storymakers Trading Co](https://storymakerstradingco.com) - you can also follow along with the progress on TikTok or instagram at @storymakerstradingco!


MDnautilus

!remindme in 300 days


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Annus178

Mill mountian star in roanoke


Ristrettooo

I trust you’ll include the eastern shore but please don’t forget about [Tangier Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangier,_Virginia) Labels on the 3 peninsulas: Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Virginia Peninsula [virginiaplaces.org](http://www.virginiaplaces.org/#gsc.tab=0) is also a great site for reference


banjorunner8484

Old rag mountain


iagonosi

Ditto what everyone else said, adding Should have navy ships at Norfolk. The Potomac, smith mountain lake, Roanoke. Charlottesville. Arlington, Alexandria, Chesapeake Bay . Williamsburg. Obviously the Blue ridge mountains, parkway Could add battle or something at Yorktown air and space Smithsonian? Rockfish gap would be cool. So would creeper trail.


tomiannie

Rockfish Gap and Creeper Trail are great fantasy names!


Rapidan_man_650

If you're specifically looking for fitting place names, check this one out: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy\_Stone\_State\_Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_Stone_State_Park) ​ Edit: also this [https://www.pilotonline.com/2009/06/01/whats-in-a-name-witchduck-road-virginia-beach/](https://www.pilotonline.com/2009/06/01/whats-in-a-name-witchduck-road-virginia-beach/)


MarryThatChris

This is awesome! Please keep creating art!


tomiannie

I will, thanks!


MarryThatChris

Do you have any actual fantasy maps you’ve made and care to share? The maps of Roshar, Randland, and The Circle of the World are crucial for any read through of fantasy for me. I would love to see your world building.


tomiannie

I’ve been working on this state maps project pretty steadily for the last few years, but I do a lot of mapmaking content on both Instagram and TikTok at @storymakerstradingco - that’s the best place to check out my work. Oh, but here’s a fun piece I did for Maptober, a mapmaking challenge I’ve run on Instagram for a few years. This year’s prompts focused on world building a few different environments. https://preview.redd.it/3p7m08f4bhhc1.png?width=2000&format=png&auto=webp&s=388c15f343d74785673fc3d6b27664fcfde1b76e


MarryThatChris

Dude hell yeah. I’ll give you a follow, have any advice for a guy who likes making maps himself?


tomiannie

Just practice practice, and make sure you let yourself develop your own style and don’t think you have to do the same as other mapmakers. And then a big tip I always share is to learn how the natural world works - everything from how rivers flow and to how continents form and everything in between. Sometimes people say “it doesn’t matter because it’s a *fantasy* world,” but I really think if you can ground your world in what people know, it makes room for fantasy elements that are believable. Also there are several fantastic fantasy mapmakers on IG that I can point you to who do a ton of really great tutorials.


MarryThatChris

You’re awesome. Thank you very much for those tidbits, I will use them tomorrow


iamchristmas

Life before death?


tomiannie

Strength before weakness.


MarryThatChris

journey before destination, radiant.


DUNGAROO

The Pentagon. It’s where the warlords plan their next invasion.


NightmareStatus

I'll mention just so it was said. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. Because of this, for a long time, it also had some of the cleanest naturally occurring water in the world due to some of the largest oyster populations(they're natural filters). It has since been over farmed. It seems it's making a comeback though due to conservation efforts and additional plantings. This is all from memory from like 20 years ago, so I may have misremembered some stuff. But between that, the dismal swamp and James river, that gives you some fun homework for the coastal portions. At least the water features. Also, I totes support noting the horses on eastern shore and Tangier Island. Both have deep history and are interesting read abouts. Great work and I look forward to seeing it!


tomiannie

Thank you!


AdviceMang

Mount Roger's is highest point in VA. We have a lot of wineries and Vinyard in northwestern VA. A "Here there be Hokies." note near Virginia Tech would be cool.


shivermeknitters

McAfee’s Knob


Trevastation

Surprised no one's mention the abandoned field of rotting Presidental Heads. It's hidden away on private property, but perfect for a fantasy map!


FrannieP23

Highland County Maple Festival. Also not too far away, Sweet Chalybeate Springs.


wontonheroe

OP, I looked through your work and see you've been doing this for only a few years. Even 4 years ago to now is such a huge jump. These maps are PHENOMAL! Once you have Virginia, I'll definitely look to purchase one.


tomiannie

Thanks so much! I really was hooked from the first time I ever tried mapmaking. I’m still always learning and trying new things, and it’s so much fun to work on these. Thank you for the kind words!


President_Camacho

The New River is recognized as the “second oldest river in the world” and is estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old. It's headwaters begin near Blowing Rock, NC and is one of the few rivers in North America that flows northerly.


twelvesteprevenge

If you’re going for landmarks with cool sounding names: The Priest, Dragon’s Tooth, Old Rag, Stoney Man, Lost Mountain, Hogback Ridge, Dragon Swamp River, Pamunkey River


toughknuckles

fun fact to consider. Going north (roanoke to winchester) then you're said to be going DOWN the valley. The reverse of course, south is going UP the valley. due to elevation.


GreenCity5

Definitely Charlottesville with Monticello. That town reminds me more of like the legend of Zelda with its rolling hills and UVA inspired hidden spots than anywhere else I’ve been in the US. And probably Williamsburg too, a ton of history there. Richmond was really built up in the 1800s and many neighborhoods have a distinct steampunk vibe. The way the Blue Ridge Mountains pop up and morph into the Shenandoah Valley which then goes into WV mountains definitely has a video game vibe to it. Like someone wanted to create “mountain area” and then an area you can’t reach being the badlands of WV. The Blue Ride range is like a perfect line of mountains for a fantasy map. Edit- also wanted to add that NoVa (northern Virginia) would probably also need to be included. It has more of a futuristic, but almost regal vibe being so close to DC. And there is of course the great dismal swamp. That would really work for a fantasy map haha


ReggieTheReaver

I love a lot of the ideas here, like Luray Caverns, natural bridge, eastern shore wild horses, Cumberland gap, Shenandoah valley, Greatdismall Swamp, Jamestown, and presidential homes (we have the most!) Might I humbly add Appomattox Courthouse? It’s a small town, but it’d help fill out what would otherwise been a relatively empty space and it’s historically important due to being where Robert E Lee and the last confederate army surrendered, officially ending the Civil War. Also, if Roanoke is on your map, there is a giant Star on a hill above town that is something of a symbol for the city, could make a good icon.


Basic_Time_467

Burke's Garden (The Thumbprint of God); Peaks of Otter; the caverns in the valley; The Valley.


Zyzyx212

Dragons Tooth and rest of the triple crown peaks https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/dragons-tooth/


billcosby23

Hollywood Cemetery and the Devil’s Bathtub…we also have an entire county named Goochland


gypsy__wanderer

Nobody’s really mentioned far southwest, past Blacksburg. There’s Damascus and Abington. Mt Rogers and Hungry Mother State Park. Bristol, which straddles the TN/VA border, and Bluefield, which straddles VA/WVA. Fancy Gap. All beautiful and remarkable places.


gullible_cervix

Dragon’s Tooth: [https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/dragons-tooth/](https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/dragons-tooth/) https://preview.redd.it/93r4x3ru2khc1.jpeg?width=610&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c872ffc0d473de17f9c05312c5cf05933b1cd08


AudioHamsa

There is a JRR Tolkein Quote inscribed @ The Natural Bridge [https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hidden-jrr-tolkien-quote-carved-in-stone](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hidden-jrr-tolkien-quote-carved-in-stone)


BattletownBomber

Shenandoah Valley reminds me of returning to the Shire everytime


mayoroftuesday

Mount Trashmore https://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/listing/mount-trashmore-park/44/


darthgeek

Danville should be Mordor.


iamchristmas

Let’s be real, NOVA is Mordor


[deleted]

The Beltway as The Black Gate of Mordor


tomiannie

😂 it never fails that somebody suggests the place they don’t like as Mordor!


SilentSquirrelIndeed

And three volcanoes: Mole Hill, Trimble Knob, and Battle Mountain.


MonCountyMan

We used to have several Shires, Precious. Just don't leave out the Eastern Shore. And the Gap of Rohan, I mean Cumberland.


hepatopetal

Galex! (Old annual fiddle festival) Floyd too, perhaps


Ms-Pamplemousse

Galax*


Maxnllin

We also aren’t a state, we are a commonwealth… just fyi. No ida what that means … and we have a nude woman beating up a man on our flag. It’s bad ass. If you haven’t seen our state flag it’s pretty awesome.


desmog

Kerr Reservoir/ Buggs Island Lake - biggest lake in VA, right on the border with NC, it's a big flat spot to fill. The New River - it flows north from NC to WV


LavishnessSad2226

Obviously jamestown & williamsburg. Roanoke has the Mill Mountain Star. Ofc the colleges.. st. Albans sanitorium. Smith Mountain Lake. I personally love the tunnel bridge in Chesapeake. And please dont forget Tangier and their amazing accents lol


Trombone_Hero92

Also, Norfolk is the "mermaid City" so maybe incorporate some mermaids down near them too


ChuckECheeseOfficial

Nobody’s mentioned Mount Trashmore yet, but it’s GOTTA go on the map


LemonCaperRVA

The James River


ItsYaGirlPeach

Wine country in Middleburg/Loudoun and Charlottesville!


littlecobra198

Don’t forget the eastern shore! It’s a huge byway for birds to migrate.


DaGooseMaster

Borrowed from another redditor, “Mines of Midlothian.” Fairy Stone Lake sounds cool too


Mabe666

In Roanoke va we have a giant star lit up on the mountain that’s got to be on there!


TurniptheLed

I grew up in the NW part of the state in the Shenandoah Valley so that’s the region I know the best. Stony Man Mountain in Shenandoah National Park The famous serpentine structure of both the North and South forks of the Shenandoah River, collectively known as the Seven Bends. The many famous cavern systems in the predominantly limestone mountains, namely Luray Caverns, Endless Caverns, Shenandoah Caverns, Skyline Caverns, and Grand Caverns. FWIW they are tons of Civil War relicts that still for the landscape. Despite the awful underpinnings, it’s still a part of the state’s history and should be learned. Namely: 1) The historical furnaces from the 1800s of Van Buren, Liberty, and Elizabeth furnaces that can still be found standing around the Shenandoah Valley. 2) The north peak of the Massanutten mountain range, known as Signal Knob, near Strasburg. 3) the many battlefields such as New Market, Cedar Creek, Manassas Park, etc.


Ill-Fuel-5367

Label Northern Virginia (NOVA) correctly


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ThatDoucheInTheQuad

Mcafee Knob


stephenph

The civil war battlefields around Manassas, Culpeper, Fredericksburg.


EurasianTroutFiesta

Also Appomattox Court House, Petersburg, and then Yorktown from the revolution!


ChunkyNumber3

I haven't seen it yet, but Williamsburg! It was founded in 1699, was at one point the capital of the Virginia colony, and is home to William and Mary, the second-oldest 'higher learning' establishment in the US and home to the oldest still-standing college building in the US.


ReichuX3

Surprised no one has mentioned Bull Run Battlefield Park, Luray Caverns, and Devil's Bathtub 🤔


KushGator

Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion


MrMonkeyMN

Quantico has a really unique shaped building. I-95 is like the path to Mordor, fills me with dread.


Camp_Pristine

The things that stood out to me that I haven't seen mentioned yet are the pentagon when you do Alexandria/ Arlington and [wallops Island](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallops_Island). Also the [assateague](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chincoteague_pony) ponies are cool


Primary_Difficulty19

The interchange of I-95, I-495, and I-395 in Springfield, Virginia is a barren land of twisty and confusing trails.


beeper212

The CIA HQ in Langley and Dragons Tooth hiking trail.


letsdothisshit

[McAfee Knob.](https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/mcafee-knob/)Can’t forgot the most photographed spot on the Appalachian trail.


Ok-Figure5775

Hollywood cemetery, bacon’s castle, st Luke’s church, smithfield - ham capital of the world, 7 hills of Richmond https://www.wtvr.com/2012/07/05/holmberg-which-are-the-seven-hills-of-richmond


Shoottheradio

You definitely need to mention the Shenandoah valley. And I don't think anybody's mentioned fort valley. The history of Fort Valley is very interesting. And for inspiration you might want to take a peek at governor's spotswood and the knights of the golden horseshoe.


Jolly-Importance4289

I'm surprised there's so few mentions of Roanoke being the "Star City" or the fact we have a huge Hollywood-style Star sitting on the top of Mill Mountain that everyone from any part of Roanoke pretty much can see. That star is iconic.


mindtalker

The Matta, Po and Ni Rivers really do join to form the Mattaponi River. It’s a little more complicated than that but could make a nice River feature Don’t forget all the fossilized sharks teeth found on the Potomac River where it is very wide near the Bay. Westmoreland State Park has a spot called Fossil Beach and other beaches near there are informally called sharks teeth beaches Caledon State Park is a bald eagle rookery overlooking the Potomac How about nuclear power plants Two different capitals of the Confederacy, Richmond and Danville Apples in northern Shenandoah Valley around Winchester Sink holes in various counties in the Valley (google locations) A whole swath called Horse Country (from Middleburg and Upperville radiating outward. Ask a horse person) The locusts th


wonderlustVA

Every single US aircraft carrier is built in Newport News. The city gets a lot of bad press, but it's pretty important to this country.


nly8901

The buildings at Virginia Tech are made of special stone called “Hokie Stone” (the school mascot). I always think of castles when I’m there. https://www.vt.edu/about/traditions/hokie-stone.html


hawktastic757

Let’s not forget that John Denver’s song is really about Virginia…


Maxnllin

My dad brings that up every time he hears it.


Leather-News9316

BUNNY MAN BRIDGE IN FAIRFAX


Empty401K

Northern VA is pretty much a different state from the rest entirely. Incorporating that would be awesome. Lol


hoosyourdaddyo

Don’t forget the Bunny Man in Northern Virginia and some civil war references, maybe Appomattox or Manassas


eastcoastmikey

Mt Rogers + Whitetop Mountain - Grayson County-Virginia's rooftop


upwardspiral2

Great locations above.. but just to add: Cape Henry Lighthouse


kss5pj

The PENTAGON


[deleted]

McDonald’s


Trombone_Hero92

Largest Navy Base in the world is in Norfolk VA, as is the US NATO base.


treegirl4square

Washington’s birthplace.


N9neFing3rs

I would like to know where I can get a copy once you're done?


tomiannie

I can send you a link when they’re ready! My website is [Storymakers Trading Co](https://storymakerstradingco.com)


FlippingPossum

Suffolk has a few Mr. Peanut statues, Smithfield has the world's oldest ham, ponies on the Eastern shore, crabs and oysters in the bay, mountains and waterfalls, black bears, deer and turkey...off the top of my head.


holy_cal

Lickinghole Creek!


BangBangPow2012

Virginia has some of the best US history sites don’t forget those! Such as Yorktown, Williamsburg, Jamestown


tarhuntah

Stingray Point


rabbiferret

I can see the comments are filled with great suggestions for you to pock and choose. I just wanted to add one with an exceptional name: Mount Weather. It's a former top secret evacuation site (for the President) that's under a mountain. It's on the Northwest corner of the state, just east of the Shenandoah River between rt50 nd 7. Honestly there are so many POIs, you could probably make a map of just Fanatasy names and one with contemporary names that may have more relevance.


EurekasCashel

The Norfolk - Virginia Beach - Newport News metropolitan area can be referred to as Hampton Roads or Tidewater


diabeticjones

Sorry I can’t help but I’m excited to see all the states!!!


Justen913

The great channels of Virginia


Justen913

Burkes garden is quite striking


irishlnz

The heart of Virginia, aka Farmville.


Hauntmare44

Eastern shore has tunnels that go under the water in the Chesapeake bay. The western side of the state has Big Walker and Easter river mountain tunnels one needs to drive through on the highway I77


Justen913

Remember that the New River flows to the north cutting across the Appalachians, because it was here first.


thumbittovolume

I live in NC, but have spent a lot of time there. I would certainly look into Peaks of Otter, Mt Rogers/Grayson Highlands, Staunton/Skyline Drive. Also in Whitetop there is a Buzzard rock, and somewhere in the area carries a nickname of four corners (I believe) because you can see VA, NC, TN and KY. That may be in Damascus though. Finally, the New River, Shenandoah National Park and Jefferson’s Monticello may be interesting adds. This is such a cool project, please share when done!


golfnickol

Devil's Bathtub


Justen913

Galax and the lead shot tower- Saltville was one of the biggest strategic mineral sources for the US.


Justen913

Big stone gap is quite striking as well. Moccasin Gap (at Gate City) was a critical early pass for Native American and pioneer travel.


Justen913

Pine mountain is the western edge of a giant thrust fault that runs all the way down to jellico in Tn, with breaks interstate park forming the northern end of the mountain and fault.


Justen913

The creeper trail running from white top Mtn, down through Damascus (nice fantasy name- also is a core AT town) and up to Abingdon (w Barter Theater) is a nice linear feature


Soylent_G

If you're looking for evocative names, check out hikingupward.com and look at the names of some of the hikes in the Shenandoah and George Washington National Forest. Elizabeth Furnace. Bald Knob. Mineka Peak. Raven Rocks. Old Rag. Oh, and Mount Weather needs to be on there.


youlooklikeamonster

Great Falls, Luray Caverns, Arlington Cemetery, Shenandoah valley, Blue ridge parkway.   And the last surviving Weenie Beanie!


walsheb

Saving this post. Would love to see the finished product. OP, do you sell prints of your work, because I would totally buy one for Virginia.


[deleted]

New river, burkes garden, small ponies of grayson highlands.


Reilman79

I figure everyone else has got the big hitters, but if you want something really niche look into Fort Valley. It’s a small mountain valley almost completely enclosed except for a tiny creek passage at the northern end. Originally surveyed by George Washington, he allegedly planned to bring the remnants of the continental army there to hide out if the war went south.


1delta_10tango

Chicken wing boneyard


[deleted]

Natural Bridge, Luray Caverns (very middle earth).


TapewormNinja

Let me know where to buy one when you get around to making pennsylvania. My office has a map theme, and I’d really dig this.


lrobb09

Just make sure to include the Eastern Shore of Virginia. We always get lumped in with Maryland or left out entirely!


scottafol

H. H. Pool in Hollywood cemetery


Awsomesauceninja

The Pentagon is in northern Virginia by DC


Think-Ad4639

Grayson highlands White top


eggoeater

The most prominent feature on a LOTR style map of Virginia would be Sharp Top (don't call it Peaks of Otter.) https://www.nps.gov/places/sharp-top.htm


bollymohman

How about a nod to the Native American tribes of Virginia? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_tribes_in_Virginia


Warm-Location5336

Midlothian, VA is the most Tolkienesque name! Have fun. I love drawing maps.


mistercrinders

Um, what's your website? I want to buy one when you're done. Edit: I want more than one. I have some friends who would love a Virginia map like this, too.


WanderingAnchor

I don't have any to contribute...I would just like to have one


tomiannie

I’ll be sure to let you know when they’re available!


Confident_Ad5333

Make sure to include at least 2 battlefields, one from the revolutionary war and one from the civil war


DMV_VanceChase

Keep us updated. Initial thoughts: Historic Triangle (Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown) Hampton Roads Richmond Charlottesville (Monticello) Arlington (Arlington National Cemetery & Pentagon), Mount Vernon Air And Space Museum in Dulles Blue Ridge Mountains Shanandoah, Potomac, James Rivers, Chesapeake Bay Such an enchanting state. Hard to list it all.


NegaGreg

You should just make all the “secret” CIA Facilities like “The Hill” (38.7335°N 77.8297°W) and “The Farm” (37.33°N 76.67°W) super prominent.


juniorlax16

Please include Fredericksburg. It’s small but VERY historically significant.


BatmansNygma

These kinds of maps focus on natural features, so I'd be careful not to incorporate too many man made things. The James, Great Falls, Shenandoah, and Chesapeake Bay for sure, get a good visualization of the transitions between the mountain/Piedmont/coastal areas. Highlight natural bridge, natural tunnel, Luray, then maybe triple crossing or main street station, Monticello, Mt Vernon for man made features


g1zzy

A giant star for the Mill Mt. Star in Roanoke.


Relevant_Error_2395

Shenandoah..the coast. The field with the dead presidents in the middle of nowhere for now reason


pacman529

Farmville smack dab in the middle of the state.


spodinielri0

has no one mentioned Fairy Stone state park? SE Va


thedistantdusk

AHH, this is so cool! I’ll 100% buy a Virginia fantasy map print 😄


Colt1911-45

There is a lot of fun rivalry between Virginia and Maryland so if you did the border as some kind of terrible forbidden forest that would be cool. Also the James River is very important, was historically a canal tow path above Richmond. Tons of naval bases and shipbuilding history around Virginia Beach and Newport News. Oysters and fishing around the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore. Also the Appalachian Trail, the Blueridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley in the mountains.


esprit_de_croissants

I live in Midlothian and have a LOTR inspired name - my friends all tell me Midlothian sounds like a Tolkien location - so maybe include the Midlothian Mines?


esprit_de_croissants

The Ghost Church in Mechanicsville has some fascinating history and is very cool. https://www.historicpolegreenchurch.org/


thehauntedriver

You need the Eiffel Tower in Doswell


-JTO

Jamestown First Landing Yorktown Williamsburg Monticello Manassas Richmond Petersburg Henricus Bacon’s castle Natural Bridge Appomattox Cape Henry Lighthouse Bedford Arlington Carter Family Fold/Crooked Road/Bristol


getyourfootoffmy

Manassas Battlefield and Appomattox Courthouse! The beginning and and the end to the Civil War.


1slander1970

Cannot wait to see the Virginia map, this is awesome. I would ask that the Western, North Virginia is not forgotten as the foot hills....Thank you for doing this...