1977 Map of Charleston West

About this map

The Kanawha River carves a dominant path across the northern reaches of this 1977 orthophotoquad, serving as the central artery for the region's industrial and urban development. Produced in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, this aerial survey provides a sharp visual record of the winding ridge-and-valley topography that defines the land south of the water. The contrast between the dense residential and industrial corridors lining the riverbanks and the heavily wooded, steep-sloped terrain of the interior illustrates the geographical constraints on local expansion. This imagery captures the physical landscape during the late 1970s, documenting the footprint of development and the natural drainage patterns of the Appalachian hills before further modernization.