1909 Map of Charleston

About this map

Charleston and its burgeoning suburbs are the focal point of this 1909 survey, revealing a landscape defined by the convergence of the Kanawha River and the Elk River. The map details a period of intense industrial and transportation growth, showing the intricate network of the Kanawha and Michigan, Chesapeake and Ohio, and other regional rail lines that hugged the riverbanks. Early industrial nodes such as Mason Sta Graham Mines P.O. and South Charleston appear alongside rural landmarks like Morgan Chapel and the Morning Star School Church. The presence of river navigation infrastructure, including Lock 6 near Dunbar, underscores the Kanawha's role as a vital commercial artery. Genealogists and local historians will find significant detail in the dispersed rural settlements like Copenhaver and Aarons that dot the surrounding hill country.