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1909 Map of Clendenin

Name: 1909 Topographic Map of Clendenin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1917
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1917

About this map

The Elk River carves a winding path through this portion of Kanawha County, serving as the primary corridor for commerce and movement at the start of the twentieth century. The Coal and Coke Ry follows the river's tight northern bends, connecting riverside settlements like Clendenin, Falling Rock, and Queen Shoals. This transport network was vital for the extraction industries indicated by the numerous hollows and creek branches that reach deep into the interior, such as Blue Creek and Campbell Creek.

Away from the rail lines, the landscape is defined by a dense network of ridges and knobs, including Crabapple Knob and Hickory Knob. Scattered mountain communities like Quick, Odell, and Putney appear along narrow creek valleys, while the Dry Ridge School stands as a focal point for upland families. This survey documents the early industrial footprint of the region, where every mile hollow and fork represents a potential site for timber or mineral activity during a period of rapid development.