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1931 Map of Charleston

Name: 1931 Topographic Map of Charleston
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

Charleston serves as the focal point of this industrial and transportation corridor along the Kanawha River and Elk River. The 1930s landscape is defined by the convergence of major rail lines, including the Baltimore and Ohio, New York Central, and the Virginian railroads, which facilitated the region's coal and chemical growth. The map reveals the early footprint of neighboring industrial centers like South Charleston and Dunbar, as well as the notable U S Navy Reservation positioned on the river's south bank.

Beyond the urban center, the surrounding hills are dotted with small rural communities and institutions that reflect the early 20th-century social fabric. Researchers can find numerous local landmarks such as Roxalana Sch, Alpha Sch, and Morgan Chapel. The transition from the riverfront hubs of Marmet and Belle to the rugged interior hollows like Shrewsbury Hollow highlights the localized settlement patterns dictated by the Appalachian terrain before later highway expansion.