1957 Map of Lavalette

About this map

The winding loops of Twelvepole Creek define the landscape south of Huntington in the late 1950s, a region where community life centered on rural schools and numerous small houses of worship. Small settlements such as Lavalette, Shoals, and Dickson follow the valley floors, while the Norfolk and Western railroad tracks trace the water's edge. This era shows a well-established network of upland churches, including Florence Memorial Ch, Newcomb Missionary Ch, and Lynn Chapel, serving family clusters near local schools like Big Creek Sch and Mt Union Sch. Beyond the residential areas, the terrain is cut by deep drainages like Beech Fork and Guyandotte River, with specific natural landmarks like Dickson Falls and Walnut Gap punctuating the ridges. The map provides a detailed view of the social geography of Wayne County before later infrastructure changes, recording names like Newcomb Cem and Smith Cem that anchor local family histories.