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1901 Map of Nicholas

Name: 1901 Topographic Map of Nicholas
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1901
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1901

About this map

The Gauley River and its major tributaries, the Cherry River and Cranberry River, carve through this central West Virginia landscape at the dawn of the twentieth century. The W. Va. and Pitts. R.R. follows the riverbanks through Camden on Gauley, marking the era's vital rail-and-timber connection. The map reveals an intricate network of river crossings essential for local travel before modern infrastructure, including the Cranberry Ferry Ford, Shawver Bridge, and Hughes Ferry.

Settlement patterns are tied to the high ridges and narrow valleys, with community centers at Summersville and Hookersville. Local genealogy is well-served by numerous named knobs and hollows, such as Daubenspeck Knob and Wallowhole Knob, alongside early postal stops like Wainville P.O.. The distinct boundary lines of Nicholas, Fayette, and Greenbrier counties intersect here, defining the administrative geography of the Highland region.