1995 Map of Parsons

About this map

The Parsons community and surrounding river valleys define this 1995 revision of a mid-century survey, where the confluence of the Black Fork and Shavers Fork forms the Cheat River. This landscape is heavily shaped by the sprawling Monongahela National Forest and specialized research areas like the Fernow Experimental Forest. Smaller settlements such as Bretz, Hambleton, and Hendricks cling to the riverbanks, reflecting a mountain economy tied to the water and forest resources. Local heritage is preserved in family-named cemeteries such as Goff Cem, Collett Cem, and Hamrick Cem, while rural spiritual life is centered around Irons Chapel and Farmers Chapel. The southeastern portion is dominated by the wilder reaches of the Otter Creek Wilderness and Mcgowan Mountain, where trails replace roads as the primary means of navigation through the steep terrain.