1911 Map of Madison

About this map

Madison and Danville serve as central hubs in this early 20th-century survey of the coal and timber regions of southwestern West Virginia. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Little Coal River and the Coal River, which facilitated the movement of resources through the Appalachians. Industrial infrastructure is prominent, particularly the rail lines of the Chesapeake and Ohio River and engineering feats like Blue Tom Tunnel and Pinnacle Tunnel. Beyond the industrial corridors, the map reveals a high density of small rural settlements including Griffithsville, Woodville, and Uneeda. The topography is a complex network of steep ridges and hollows, such as High Hollow and Fawn Hollow, punctuated by peaks like Brushy Knob. Small community landmarks, including the Olive Branch Church and numerous rural schools, provide critical points of reference for genealogists tracing family locations before the mid-century expansion of modern roadways.