1960 Map of Kingwood

About this map

The Cheat River carves a deep valley through the heart of Preston County, defining a landscape where industrial extraction meets organized military presence at the National Guard Camp Dawson. During the early 1960s, the hilltop seat of Kingwood served as a central hub, flanked by the active corridors of the Baltimore and Ohio and the West Virginia Northern railroads. The map reveals an intensive history of resource use, with numerous Strip Mines and quarries dotting the ridges above settlements like Albright and Tunnelton. Local genealogy is well-preserved through a network of rural landmarks, including St Josephs Ch and Irona Ch, alongside family-named burial grounds like the Miller Cem and Wilson Cem. Small hamlets such as Irona, Manown, and Preston are shown connected by winding roads and industrial infrastructure, including a prominent pipeline traversing the eastern hills toward the Briery Mountains.