1958 Map of Mount Alto

About this map

Mount Alto and Baden anchor the ridges of Mason and Jackson counties in this late 1950s survey, illustrating a landscape defined by its proximity to major river arteries. The north is bordered by the Ohio River and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, while the Kanawha River cuts through the southwest near Leon, followed by the New York Central tracks. Between these rivers, the terrain is a dense network of ridges like Chestnut Ridge and Thomas Ridge, where life centered around small country schools and churches. Genealogists will find numerous family-named landmarks and burial grounds, including the Sayre Cem, Ward Cem, and Jenkins Cem. The presence of scattered Gas Wells and Oil Wells across the hills reveals the early energy industry that shared this space with established settlements like Beech Hill (Southside PO).