2016 Map of Moatstown

About this map

The South Branch Potomac River carves a deep valley through the high ridges of Pendleton County, anchoring a landscape where agricultural life clings to the narrow riverside flats. In this part of the Monongahela National Forest, small settlements like Moatstown, Harper, and Zigler serve as local touchstones for a community defined by its topography. The prevalence of named water sources, such as Moyer Farm Spring, Sennett Farm Spring, and Hammer Run Spring, indicates the vital importance of reliable springs for farmsteads situated between the steep slopes of N Fork Mtn and Jack Mtn. Roads like Smith Creek Rd and Moyer Run Rd follow the natural contours of the land, connecting these mountain gaps and ridges. This map documents a traditional Appalachian mountain-and-valley settlement pattern, where family names are etched into the land via features like Wilfong Knob, Wagner Knob, and Rexrode Farm Spring.