1923 Map of Pearisburg

About this map

Peters Mountain dominates this survey, forming the dramatic interstate boundary between West Virginia and Virginia. The West Virginia side, spanning the districts of Springfield and Red Sulphur, reveals a densely settled rural landscape defined by narrow hollows and ridge-top communities. The abundance of educational and religious institutions, such as Swope School, Shires School, and Pine Grove Church, suggests a period of high rural population density before mid-century shifts. Narrow watercourses like Hans Creek and Rich Creek dictate the placement of small settlements like Linside and Assurance. On the eastern edge, the legendary Sweet Springs remains a focal point of the region. This 1920s-era topographic record captures the Appalachian highlands at a peak of agrarian life, where mountain passes like Dickinson Gap and Symms Gap served as essential links between the valley communities.