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1963 Map of Holden

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Holden
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Guyan River and the winding Island Creek drainage define the rugged topography of this coal-country map, where narrow valleys dictate the layout of industrial and residential life. Major mining operations are evident through numerous strip mines and mine dumps that mark the hillsides, particularly near Holden and Verdunville. The infrastructure of the coal economy is clear, following the Chesapeake and Ohio rail lines as they thread through hollows to reach dozens of small settlements like Whitman Junction, Thompson Town, and Shamrock.

Local social life is recorded in the many small institutions tucked into these valleys, from the Coal Miners Chapel and Whitman Ch to family burial grounds like the Ferrell Cem and Mounts Cem. Public spaces such as the Chief Logan State Recreation Area provide a contrast to the heavy industry of the surrounding landscape. The map captures a moment when traditional hollow-bottom communities remained densely settled along the creeks and rail spurs.