1932 Map of Pearisburg

About this map

The New River carves a dramatic path through the center of this 1930s landscape, serving as the primary corridor for the Norfolk and Western railroad. This industrial and transportation artery links the county seat of Pearisburg with riverside settlements like Ripplemead, Pembroke, and Eggleston. The map reveals a high density of rural institutions that sustained these mountain communities, including the Flatwoods Church, Hoges Store, and the Chestnut Grove School. Higher elevations are defined by the presence of Mountain Lake, situated beneath the peaks of Salt Pond Mountain. The intricate network of small schools, such as Dry Pond School and Shires School, underscores the localized nature of social life before mid-century consolidation. From the limestone operations at Ripplemead to the ridge-top gaps like Dickinson Gap, the topography reflects a region where geology dictated both settlement and passage.