1963 Map of Panther

About this map

Tug Fork and the Norfolk and Western railway corridor define the rugged northern edge of this West Virginia and Virginia borderland. The topography is dominated by the steep dissection of Sandy River Ridge, where a network of narrow hollows and creeks like Longpole Cr and Bull Creek support isolated family settlements and mountain industries. The landscape is marked by the prominence of the coal economy, evidenced by numerous strip mines and localized mines that punctuate the high ridges. Deep within the winding valleys, community life is anchored by traditional institutions such as Little Zion Ch, Greenbrier Fork Ch, and rural schools like McKinley Sch. The map reveals a high density of family burial grounds, including the Blankenship Cem and Justice Cem, providing a detailed record of the generational residency patterns in the State Forest region during the mid-20th century.