2016 Map of Petroleum

About this map

Petroleum and the surrounding Ritchie County landscape are defined by a complex network of narrow hollows and ridge-top trails. The settlement at Petroleum sits near Goose Creek, reflecting the area's history in the West Virginia oil and gas fields, further evidenced by the nearby Oil Spring and the N Bend Rail Trail which follows an old rail grade through the hills. This map is particularly dense with genealogical sites, including the Greenhill Catholic Cem, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cem, and the family-associated Farr Cem. Downstream along the Hughes River, the community of Freeport marks a point where the terrain softens slightly. The mapping of modern recreational paths like Warrior Ridge Trail and Gary's Grind alongside older rural roads like Henry Cress Rd illustrates the shift from industrial extractive roots to a landscape of conservation and leisure.