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1949 Map of Clarksburg

Name: 1949 Topographic Map of Clarksburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1949
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1949

About this map

The Ohio River valley serves as the primary artery for this post-war survey, anchoring a network of industrial and transport hubs across West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Large population centers like Parkersburg, Clarksburg, and Zanesville reflect the mid-century urbanization of the Appalachian Plateau, while the Baltimore and Ohio railroad corridor underscores the region's historical reliance on heavy rail for coal and manufacturing.

Topographically, the landscape is defined by the sharp dissection of the plateau, illustrated by prominent features such as Kings Ridge, Hanna Ridge, and Bracken Ridge. The map detail captures the transition from river-bottom settlements to the winding valley roads and ridgeline trails of the interior. Hydrological features like the Senecaville Reservoir and the Tygart River show the management of the watershed that feeds the industrial cities downstream, providing a clear picture of the region's infrastructure just as the interstate era was beginning.