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1969 Map of Gauley Bridge

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Gauley Bridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The confluence of the New River and Gauley River forms the headwaters of the Kanawha River, creating a distinctive industrial and topographical corridor in West Virginia. The town of Gauley Bridge serves as the focal point for this intersection, where steep mountain terrain forced the concentration of rail and road infrastructure. The influence of the Chesapeake and Ohio and Conrail lines is evident throughout the river valleys, supporting the region's extraction and power industries. Numerous small settlements such as Glen Ferris, Swiss, and Belva are scattered along these transport routes.

Industrial development is marked by several strip mines and utility landmarks like the Powerplant near Kanawha Falls. Beyond the heavy industry, the map documents local community life through features like Bailey Memorial Ch, Hill Cem, and the recreational grounds of Hawks Nest State Park. The terrain is characterized by deep hollows like Whiteface Hollow and Log Chute Hollow, which feed into the primary river systems defining the Gauley Mountain landscape.