1948 Map of Cumberland

About this map

Cumberland serves as the focal point for this post-war regional survey, situated at the convergence of the Potomac River and Wills Creek. The map illustrates the complex ridgeline and valley geography of the Allegheny Mountains and the northern Shenandoah Valley. This era shows a heavy reliance on the rail network, featuring the Baltimore & Ohio RR and Western Maryland Ry threading through narrow water gaps. To the west, the landscape transitions from the industrial centers of Morgantown and Uniontown to the high-elevation recreation area surrounding Deep Creek Lake. In the east, the historic pike towns like Winchester and Berkeley Springs are connected by major highways such as U.S. 11 and U.S. 50, documenting the region's mid-century transportation infrastructure. Large tracts of protected land, including the Monongahela National Forest, indicate the preservation of the central Appalachian highlands.