1954 Map of Mc Dowell

About this map

McDowell and East McDowell serve as central hubs in this mid-century survey of the Eastern Kentucky Coalfield, where the landscape is defined by the winding paths of Beaver Creek and its many tributaries. The area's industrial character is rooted in the Strip Mines and coal company operations that informed the original topography, supported by the Chesapeake and Ohio RR running through the southern reaches. Numerous small mountain communities are connected by a network of local institutions, including schools like Grethel Sch and Teaberry Sch, and places of worship such as Samaria Ch. The high terrain is punctuated by landmarks like the Mud Creek Lookout Tower and Signal Knob, while the intricate topography of hollows and forks—such as Stonecoal Hollow and Branham Fork—reveals the traditional settlement patterns of Floyd Co and Pike Co before modern development altered these steep valleys.