1953 Map of Kelat

About this map

Licking River and its deep oxbows carve the northern boundary of this rural landscape, where the border between Pendleton and Harrison counties is defined by the winding course of Richland Creek. In the early 1950s, the area's social fabric was anchored by numerous small country churches, including Mt Vernon Ch, Antioch Ch, and Benson Ch. The settlement of McKinneysburg sits within a sharp bend of the river, while the village of Kelat serves as a central point in the southern interior. The terrain is a network of ridges and deep drainage branches, such as Snake Lick and Rankin Branch, which flow toward the river systems. Significant landmarks for local history include Old Mt Vernon Ch and Liberty Ridge, illustrating a pattern of upland settlement and spiritual life that persisted through the mid-20th century.