1969 Map of Petersburg West

About this map

The South Branch Potomac River carves a deep valley through the heart of this Appalachian landscape, separating the high ridges of Cave Mountain and Big Mountain. In the late 1960s, this region remained a rural mosaic of small farming settlements and protected wilderness within the Monongahela National Forest. The map documents a dense network of country churches that served these isolated valley communities, including St Johns Ch, Bethel Ch, and Gordon Chapel. Along the river's winding path, landmarks like Peacock Cave and Blue Rock mark the limestone geology of the Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. The northeast corner shows the expansion of Petersburg, where the Grant Co Airport and Petersburg Fish Hatchery stand near the confluence of Mill Creek and the river. Numerous mountain gaps, such as Stillhouse Gap, Austin Gap, and Redman Gap, indicate the historic passage points through the high terrain.