1954 Map of Matewan

About this map

Tug Fork carves a winding path along the state line in the mid-1950s, defining the border between Kentucky and West Virginia where the Norfolk and Western railway snakes through the river valley. The landscape is dotted with small mining and rail-oriented settlements like North Matewan, Delorme (Edgarton P O), and Vulcan. This era shows a transition in the mountains as the terrain is increasingly influenced by industry, with contours in strip mine areas specifically compiled for this survey. Deep in the hollows and along the many branches of Blackberry Creek, local social life is centered around institutions such as Blackberry School and Blue Spring Church. The map details a complex network of small hollows and ridges, from Silk Knob to Calloway Gap, revealing the high density of rural homesteads and family-named landmarks like Hatfield Bottom and Daugherty Bottom that characterize the Tug Valley coal country during this post-war period.