1901 Map of Monterey

About this map

Monterey serves as a central hub in this late 19th-century reconnaissance survey of the high Allegheny ridges spanning the Virginia and West Virginia border. The landscape is defined by the sharp, parallel orientation of massive landforms like Back Mountain, Jack Mountain, and Shenandoah Mountain, which dictate the placement of small agricultural settlements and timber outposts. Isolated communities such as Crabbottom and New Hampden occupy the narrow valleys of the South Branch and Straight Fork, where the terrain allowed for early development. The mapping detail highlights the era's reliance on mountain passes and water gaps, noting specific points of commerce like Cleeks Mills and the high-altitude crossroads at Hightown. Further south and west, the drainages of the Greenbrier River and Knapp Creek reveal a network of small hamlets including Greenbank and Dunmore, providing a clear view of the settlement patterns established before the modern highway era.