1937 Map of Narrows

About this map

The New River snakes through the Appalachian ridges of the Virginia and West Virginia border in this survey, carving a dramatic path through The Narrows. This corridor serves as a vital transportation artery, where both the Norfolk and Western Railway and the Virginian Railway follow the water's edge through mountain gaps. The map reveals a densely settled rural landscape defined by industrial and agricultural history, featuring specialized sites like Muncys Saltworks and Shanklins Ferry. The settlement pattern is largely dictated by the terrain of Peters Mtn and East River Mountain, with dozens of small neighborhood institutions such as Scratchgravel School and Goodwill Chapel serving the residents of Peterstown, Glenlyn, and the surrounding hollows. Near the Hales Gap Tunnel, the infrastructure of the early 20th-century coal-hauling railroads is particularly evident as they navigate the steep topography.