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1950 Map of Paw Paw

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Paw Paw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1989
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1989

About this map

The Potomac River carves a dramatic series of loops through the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains along the border of Maryland and West Virginia. This mid-century survey highlights the industrial and transportation corridor established by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the defunct Western Maryland Railway (Abandoned), which utilized significant engineering works like the Randolph Tunnel and Stickley Tunnel to navigate the tight river bends. The town of Paw Paw serves as the primary hub, situated near the sweeping Bevan Bend.

Away from the rail lines, the landscape is defined by long, parallel ridges such as Purslane Mountain and Sideling Hill. Local history is preserved in isolated landmarks like Sulphur Springs Ch, the Milo School, and several family cemeteries including Roby Cem and Horn Cem. The map also traces the path of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (Abandoned), reflecting the layered history of Potomac valley commerce.