1966 Map of Gilmer

About this map

The Little Kanawha River snakes through the southern reaches of this West Virginia landscape, providing a narrow corridor for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and the riverfront community of Stouts Mills. This mid-1960s survey illustrates a region defined by its narrow hollows and numerous watercourses, such as Sand Fork and Indian Fork. The topography is dotted with a dense network of oil and gas wells, reflecting the industrial character of the era, while small settlements like Donlan and Ellis serve as local anchors. Family and community heritage is deeply rooted here, evidenced by numerous small burial grounds including Dyer Cem, McHenry Cem, and Edmiston Cem. From the heights of Locust Knob to the industrial presence of a Compressor Sta and several mines, the map documents a transition between agricultural tradition and mineral extraction.