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1977 Map of Charleston East

Name: 1977 Topographic Map of Charleston East
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1980
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1980

About this map

The Kanawha River corridor serves as the industrial and residential backbone of this West Virginia landscape, as seen in this 1977 orthophotograph. Dense development follows the river valley from Charleston through Kanawha City, where the narrow flatlands between steep hills have dictated the expansion of the regional infrastructure. This aerial perspective, prepared in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, reveals the sharp contrast between the heavily populated riverfront and the deep, wooded ravines that isolate settlements like Coal Fork and Port Amherst.

The imagery captures a detailed look at the era's transportation network, including the intricate highway interchanges near Rand and Dupont City. Further south, the town of Marmet marks the extent of the urbanized valley, showing how the river remains the central geographic feature for industry and transport. Local researchers can trace the footprint of mid-century suburban and industrial growth along the river and where it meets Campbells Creek.