1969 Map of Junior

About this map

The Tygart Valley River snakes through the heart of the West Virginia coal fields, carving a path between Barker Mountain and Laurel Ridge. This late 1960s landscape is defined by its industrial character, with extensive Strip Mine operations scattered throughout the hills. Small company towns and rail stops like Junior, Harding, and Coalton dot the valleys, connected by the Baltimore and Ohio and the Maryland Western RR. Local community life is grounded in landmarks such as Trinity Ch and the Mountain View Cem. Along the highway near Crystal Springs, later-century developments appear including a Drive-in Theater and a Trailer Park. The topography reveals the tight relationship between the river, the winding rail lines, and the Tipple sites that served as the economic backbone of this Randolph and Barbour County region.