1904 Map of Kenova

About this map

The Ohio River and Big Sandy River serve as the industrial and transit backbone for this region at the start of the twentieth century, where the borders of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio converge. Significant rail infrastructure, including the Chesapeake and Ohio Ry and Norfolk and Western Ry, links river towns like Catlettsburg and Ashland to the inland coal and iron works. This map captures the industrial character of Boyd and Carter counties, showing early mining and furnace settlements like Mt Savage, Coalton, and Rush. Deep in the hills, unique engineering features such as the Means Tunnel and the Backbone ridge illustrate the challenges of traversing this terrain. Along the Little Sandy River, smaller communities such as Hopewell and Pactolus appear alongside numerous family-named branches and forks, providing a detailed record for genealogical research in this tri-state corner.