1918 Map of Davis

About this map

The Fairfax Stone marks the critical historical boundary between West Virginia and Maryland at the northwestern corner of this 1916 survey. This high-altitude landscape is defined by the industrial reach of the Lumber RR and the Western Maryland RR, which served the growing mountain towns of Thomas and Davis. The terrain transitions from the steep slopes of Fadrean Mountain into the broad, high-elevation basin of Canaan Valley, where a network of rural life is visible through small settlements like Cortland and Buena. Local history is preserved in the placement of numerous country schoolhouses, including Maple Grove School, Harmon School, and Cosner School, which supported the families working in the timber and rail industries. The Blackwater River and its many tributaries, such as Beaver Creek and Yellow Creek, dictate the movement of both commerce and community across the Dobbin Ridge.