1960 Map of Grafton

About this map

The Baltimore and Ohio railroad corridor anchors this mid-century portrait of Taylor County, connecting the bustling industrial hub of Grafton to outlying mining and agricultural communities. The terrain is defined by the winding course of the Tygart River and the expansive Tygart Lake, where the newly established Tygart Lake State Park begins to shape the local landscape. Settlement patterns follow the narrow valley floors and ridgelines, from the historical center at Pruntytown—site of the W Va Industrial School for Boys—to smaller railroad and coal hamlets like Simpson and Wendel. Extensive Strip Mine symbols scattered across the western hills reflect the era's intensive resource extraction. Genealogists will find significant detail in the numerous family and community landmarks, including the National Cem and Linn Chapel, which serve as quiet markers of the region's long-standing social fabric.