1917 Map of Matewan

About this map

The Tug Fork river defines the border between West Virginia and Kentucky in this 1917 study, where the mountain geography dictated the development of isolated mining and timber settlements. In the southern portion of the quadrangle, the coal economy is evident at the Thacker Mines, while several schools such as Blackberry Fork School and Hatfield School served the families living along the creek bottoms. The map reveals the intricate social fabric of the era through combined post offices and rail stops like Delorme Edgarton PO and Devon Okeeffe PO. Named for the family made famous by local legend, the settlement of Hatfield sits along the southern branch of the river. The topography is characterized by sharp ridges and deep hollows, with named summits like Silk Knob and Dick Knob rising above the winding valley floor settlements of Matewan and Red Jacket.