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1961 Map of Charleston

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Charleston
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1961
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1961

About this map

Charleston and its industrial corridor along the Kanawha River serve as the focal point of this 1961 survey, which documents the state capital during a period of mid-century infrastructure growth. The river-driven economy is evident in the cluster of towns including Saint Albans, South Charleston, Dunbar, and Nitro, all linked by an intricate web of rail lines such as the Chesapeake and Ohio RR and New York Central RR.

Moving eastward, the landscape shifts from industrial river valleys into the dense elevations of the Monongahela National Forest. Significant peaks like Gauley Mountain and Cheat Mountain dominate the terrain, while the construction of the Sutton Reservoir and Summersville Reservoir indicates the era's focus on water management. For those interested in regional history, the map includes significant heritage sites such as Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and Watoga State Park.