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1961 Map of Bethesda

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Bethesda
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1978
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1978

About this map

Bethesda and Belmont anchor the southern half of this Belmont County survey, representing a landscape defined by its ridge-top settlements and the influence of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The map captures a moment of transition where traditional small-town life, evidenced by Epworth Park and Union High Sch, coexists with the expanding footprint of the mining industry. Large-scale Strip Mine operations are prominently marked across several townships, particularly in Kirkwood and Union, showing the industrial pressure on the rural landscape.

Water plays a central role in the geography of the quadrangle, with the western edge touching Piedmont Lake and the eastern portion featuring the Belmont Lake State Reserve. Between these points, the land is carved by numerous waterways like McMahon Creek and Stillwater Creek. Genealogists will find significant value in the distribution of family-connected sites, from the Plainfield Cem to the Lafferty Post Office, while cultural markers like the Drive-in Theater near Morristown provide a look at mid-century local leisure.