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1957 Map of Elizabeth

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Elizabeth
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Little Kanawha River winds sharply through Wirt County, anchoring the town of Elizabeth and the smaller settlement of Palestine. In the late 1950s, this landscape was defined by the transition from river-based infrastructure to rural development. Downstream from Elizabeth, the Lock & Dam (Ruins) alongside a Gaging Sta reflect a legacy of river navigation, while the nearby Palestine State Fish Hatchery highlights mid-century conservation efforts.

The surrounding ridges, such as Courtney Ridge and Limestone Ridge, are dotted with centers of community life including Black Hill Sch and Center Valley Sch. Genealogists will find several rural houses of worship, from Antioch Ch in the south to Beulah Ch and Rose Hill Ch in the north. The presence of multiple Oil Wells and a significant Pipeline through Slate and Steele townships indicates the ongoing importance of the local extractive economy during this era.