1980 Map of Hoskinston

About this map

The Middle Fork Kentucky River serves as the central artery for this mountainous region of Leslie County, where the coal industry profoundly reshaped the landscape by the early 1980s. Numerous Strip Mines and several oil wells are scattered across the high ridges, particularly near Muncy Creek and Little Stinnett Creek. Small communities like Hoskinston and Asher cling to the riverbank, while inland settlements such as Essie are found along the narrow hollows of Bowen Creek and Woodson Fork. Local genealogy is well-preserved through numerous scattered mountain cemeteries and country churches, including Grassy Branch Ch and Beech Fork Ch. The terrain is characterized by steep slopes and strategic passages like Stinnett Gap, reflecting an era of transition as traditional Appalachian life intersected with large-scale resource extraction.