1970 Map of Old Fields

About this map

Purgitsville and the Old Fields settlement anchor this landscape in the Potomac Highlands, where the topography is defined by the narrow valley of the Potomac River (South Branch). The transportation network of the 1970s follows these natural corridors, with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and winding paths like Elmlick Road connecting local communities. The map provides a detailed view of rural infrastructure, including several small churches such as Old Pine Ch, Otterbein Ch, and Bethel Ch, alongside the Mill Creek Sch. Strategic mountain passes like Reynolds Gap and Falling Springs Gap reveal how the geology dictated movement between Hardy Co and Hampshire Co. Local landmarks like Taylor Knob and Thrasher Knob rise above the drainage basins of Mill Creek and Patterson Creek, illustrating the complex drainage patterns of this Appalachian region.