1949 Map of Keyser

About this map

Keyser serves as the industrial and educational anchor of this riverfront landscape, where the North Branch of the Potomac River carves through the sharp ridges of Knobly Mountain and Dans Mountain. In the mid-century, the city was a vital transportation hub defined by the Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland railroads, which parallel the riverbanks. The presence of Potomac State College and several community landmarks like the Wilson Community Hall suggest a well-established social fabric. For genealogists, the map reveals numerous small burial grounds and rural places of worship, including Meadow View Cem, Willow Dale Chapel, and the Mead Ch tucked into the highlands. The terrain is marked by steep gaps like O'Neil Gap and the prominent overlook at Queens Point, which towers over the settlement of McCoole on the Maryland side.