1915 Map of Otway

About this map

Scioto Brush Creek and the winding Scioto River define this deeply dissected landscape in southern Ohio during the early twentieth century. The settlement of Otway serves as a central hub where the Norfolk and Western Railway navigates the narrow valley floor, following the water's path toward Rarden and Arion. The map reveals a high density of rural schoolhouses, including Starr School, Pine Flat School, and McBride School, reflecting the scattered but organized community structure typical of the era's upland farms. Along the eastern edge, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Railway parallel the river, connecting riverside towns like Wakefield and Clifford. The intricate contouring highlights prominent elevations such as Bear Creek Knob and Campbell Hill, showing how early transportation and housing were strictly dictated by the complex ridgelines and stream valleys of the McChesney Ridge area.