1901 Map of Hancock

About this map

The Potomac River carves a winding path through this 1901 survey, serving as the primary corridor for the C. & O. Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio R.R. at the turn of the century. This landscape is defined by its deep vertical ridges, where prominent heights like Devils Nose Mountain and Third Hill Mountain separate narrow valleys. The map documents the strategic importance of the river bend, anchored by the colonial-era Fort Frederick and the bustling rail junction at Cherry Run. Along the valley floor, small settlements like Hedgesville and Berkeley Springs are connected by the Parkhead Turnpike and a network of rural crossroads. The prevalence of named mills and factories, such as Yeakle Mill and Burnt Factory, indicates a regional economy still deeply tied to local water power and industrial processing within the rugged Appalachian terrain.