1968 Map of Murdock

About this map

State Game Lands No 50 occupies a central expanse of this Somerset County landscape, illustrating a transition from the industrial valley floors to the high timbered ridges of Negro Mountain. The map documents a mid-century period where heavy industry and rural heritage exist in close proximity. Coal extraction is evident through numerous Strip Mines and a tipple near Shober, while local transport is anchored by the Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland railroads. Along the Casselman River at the southern edge, a covered bridge remains a notable landmark near Burkhelder. Small settlements like Murdock, Bando, and Shamrock are clustered along the rail lines and creek valleys, often centered around local institutions such as St Johns Ch and its accompanying St Johns Cem.