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1900 Map of Pawpaw

Name: 1900 Topographic Map of Pawpaw
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1929
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1929

About this map

The Potomac River carves a dramatic, winding path through this region where Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania converge. This survey shows the industrial and transportation infrastructure of the late 19th century, dominated by the competing routes of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Western Maryland Railroad as they snake along the riverbanks. The rugged terrain of the Appalachian ridges, including Sideling Hill and Purslane Mountain, dictated a settlement pattern concentrated in narrow valleys and at strategic river bends.

Local landmarks such as the Woodmont Club and Dam No. 6 illustrate the dual nature of the river as a site for both industry and recreation. Small rail-dependent communities like Magnolia, Hansrote, and Doe Gully are captured at their peak, providing a detailed look at the rural economy before modern highways bypassed these river-oriented villages. The inclusion of a Power Plant near Great Cacapon highlights the early electrification efforts along this critical transit corridor.