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1969 Map of Penola

Name: 1969 Topographic Map of Penola
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Mattaponi River carves a winding path through this corner of Caroline County, its lowlands defined by extensive wetlands like Tanyard Swamp and Millpond Swamp. This 1960s landscape is characterized by a network of crossroad settlements and small family-named locales, including Chenaults Shop, Shumansville, and Kidds Fork. The western edge is anchored by the Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad, which runs through the community of Penola.

Social and civic life during this period centered around numerous country churches, such as Mt Tabor Ch, St James Ch, and Mt Hermon Ch. The presence of Reedy Mill and its associated Reedy Millpond suggests the enduring importance of local water-powered industry in this rural Virginian landscape. Genealogists and historians can trace numerous small cemeteries and family-named landmarks like Doggetts Fork and Wrights Fork that dot the wooded terrain.