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1953 Map of Charles Town

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Charles Town
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1953
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1953

About this map

Charles Town and Ranson serve as the bustling urban core of this 1953 survey, where the Baltimore and Ohio and Norfolk and Western railroads intersect. This rail network supports a thriving industrial landscape, notably the extensive Limestone Quarries near Millville and Bakerton. The eastern edge of the map is defined by the dramatic confluence of the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River, with the Blue Ridge mountains rising sharply to the east.

Genealogists and local historians can locate several rural landmarks, such as Elk Branch Church and Keller Church, alongside smaller settlements like Skeetersville and Uvilla. Cultural and geological curiosities are also present, including the Race Track in Charles Town and John Browns Cave near the river bluffs. The map also traces the Appalachian Trail as it follows the high ridgeline above Purcell Knob, providing a detailed view of the regional topography before mid-century suburban expansion.