1909 Map of Elkins

About this map

The Tygart River valley serves as the central artery for this early 20th-century survey, anchoring the major settlements of Elkins and Beverly during a period of significant industrial expansion. The landscape is defined by the convergence of heavy rail and historic transit routes, most notably the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike and the Western Maryland RR, which facilitated the movement of coal and timber from the surrounding highlands. This era showcases a dense network of rural education and small company towns, from Coalton and Junior to numerous isolated institutions like Stoneseal School and Goff School. The topography is dominated by the steep rises of Rich Mountain and Laurel Ridge, where landmarks such as Arnold Hill and Burnt Bridge provide specific points of reference for local historians and genealogists tracing early Appalachian development.