1913 Map of Beckley

About this map

The New River and its winding canyon dominate this 1911 survey of the West Virginia coalfields, where the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad clings to the riverbanks to serve a dense network of industrial settlements. This era represents the peak of the region's river-and-rail economy, with towns like Thurmond and Quinnimont serving as vital hubs for the surrounding mines. To the south, Beckley and Fayetteville emerge as established population centers, connected by a web of mountain ridges including Batoff Mountain and Peavine Ridge. The landscape is dotted with numerous local institutions, such as the Johnstown School and Silver Cliff School, reflecting a period of significant rural growth. Notable for genealogists are the exact locations of many post offices and stations, including Brooklyn Finlow PO and Lanark Sta, which once anchored these deep-valley communities.