1935 Map of Jewell

About this map

Jewell Ridge PO and the community of Jewell anchor this mid-1930s survey along the mountainous border of Buchanan and Tazewell Counties. The landscape is defined by the high-elevation Sandy Ridge, where industrial development and transportation routes follow the narrow winding valleys. The Norfolk and Western railroad tracks run through the heart of the region, supporting local operations like Coaldan and Alfredton. An Electric Power Company Transmission Line traverses the ridges, signaling the modernization of this coal-producing area. Local life is centered around rural landmarks like Smith Sch, Maney Sch, and Stinson Sch, while the Bear Wallow Fire Tower stands as a sentinel over the high ground. The map details a complex network of hollows such as Wildcat Hollow and Chicken Coop Hollow that characterize the difficult terrain during this era of extraction and early highway development.