1912 Map of Crawford

About this map

The West Fork Monongahela River and the Little Kanawha River define the intricate drainage systems of this Central West Virginia landscape before modern development. In the early twentieth century, the area was a dense network of small rural communities and family-named schools, such as Radabaugh School and McCutcheon School, serving the local families in districts like Skin Creek and Collins Settlement. Transport infrastructure was dominated by the Baltimore & Ohio RR passing through Roanoke Sta and the Coal & Coke Ry threading through the eastern hills near Frenchton. Distinctive landmarks like the Devils Darning Needle and Rock Cave provide orientation in a region where industrial activity was localized, evident at Alkires Mills. This survey preserves the exact locations of numerous vanished rural institutions, from Slab Camp School to Whites Camp School, providing a detailed record of the pre-war educational and social landscape.