2023 Map of Franklin

About this map

The South Branch Potomac River carves a central path through this Pendleton County terrain, anchoring the town of Franklin and the administrative center at the Pendleton County Courthouse. Modern infrastructure follows the ancient river valley, with Us Rte 220 connecting the small settlements of Ruddle and Oak Grove. The landscape is defined by its deep vertical relief, moving from the heights of North Fork Mountain and the Monongahela National Forest down into the sheltered basin of Evick Hollow and the aptly named Troublesome Valley. Numerous water sources like Smith Farm Spring and Hammer Spring indicate a rural heritage where water access dictated the placement of homesteads. Topographic features such as Wilson Ridge and River Mtn wall in the river corridor, creating a tightly-knit settlement pattern that remains distinct from the surrounding wilderness.