2019 Map of Matoaka

About this map

Matoaka and Lashmeet anchor this section of Mercer County, where the narrow valleys and steep ridges of the West Virginia coalfields have long shaped the pattern of human settlement. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Bluestone River and its numerous tributaries, including Widemouth Cr and Rich Cr. This 2019 survey documents a network of rural communities such as Beeson, Pinoak, and Hiawatha, many of which developed around the region's historical industrial activities. Genealogists and local historians will find several well-documented burial sites throughout the terrain, including Saint Peters Lutheran Cem, Mount Olive Cem, and Ross Cem. The presence of the Norfolk Southern rail line and specific local thoroughfares like Old Strip Mine Haul Rd and Matoaka Rd highlight the enduring logistical infrastructure of the southern Appalachians.