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1944 Map of Charles Town

Name: 1944 Topographic Map of Charles Town
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Charles Town and Ranson serve as the industrial and residential anchors of this mid-century survey, where the Baltimore and Ohio and Norfolk and Western railroads intersect. The landscape is deeply tied to the winding Shenandoah River and Potomac River, with industrial sites like Limestone Quarry and the Power Plant near Millville highlighting the era's reliance on river-bound resources. The map captures a detailed transition from the urban grid of the county seat to the outlying agricultural and mining hamlets of Bakerton and Halltown.

Genealogists and local historians can trace numerous rural landmarks, including Elk Branch Church and Oakland Church, alongside small settlements like Skeetersville and Uvilla. Cultural and topographic markers such as the Race Track in Charles Town, John Browns Cave near the Maryland border, and the elevation at Purcell Knob illustrate the intersection of historical lore and the physical geography of the Blue Ridge mountains.