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1957 Map of Petroleum

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Petroleum
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The extractive industries that fueled West Virginia’s growth are etched across this landscape, marked by clusters of Oil Wells and Gas Wells throughout the Walker and Grant districts. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad corridor serves as the primary artery of the region, passing through the Eaton Tunnel and connecting the namesake settlement of Petroleum with Eaton. This rail line follows the winding valley of Goose Creek, providing a vital link for the energy and timber resources harvested from the surrounding hills.

Local life in the mid-20th century centered on dispersed rural nodes such as Freeport and Volcano, where institutions like the Progress Ridge Sch and Mt Olive Ch served family farms. Near the southern bend of the Hughes River, Camp Ko-Otaga sits along the water, while the George Washington Highway traverses the northern reaches. The map also records numerous family and community landmarks, including the Odd Fellows Cem and Everly Cem, preserving the genealogy of these Wood and Ritchie County borderlands.