1928 Map of Naugatuck

About this map

The Tug Fork forms a winding border between West Virginia and Kentucky, serving as the central artery for this 1928 survey of the coalfields. The Norfolk and Western RR tracks follow the river's tight bends, connecting industrial settlements like Kermit, Naugatuck, and Warfield. This rail corridor was the lifeblood of the region, facilitating the movement of natural resources through the steep hollows of Mingo Co and across the state line into Martin Co. Away from the river, the landscape is defined by a dense network of mountain schools and family-named landmarks, such as The Bend Sch, Varney Sch, and Raisden Sch. The map records a moment when small post offices like Cassie Po and mountain gaps like Swelled Hickory Gap were the primary points of orientation for rural residents navigating the labyrinthine branches of Twelvepole Creek and its many forks.