2019 Map of Pickens

About this map

The mountain settlements of Helvetia and Pickens define this high-altitude landscape in the heart of West Virginia’s timber and coal country. Established in the late 19th century by Swiss and German immigrants, Helvetia retains its distinct isolation along the Middle Fork Right Fork Buckhannon River, with the Helvetia Cem and Pine Grove Cem serving as records of the community's early families. The terrain is marked by significant elevations like Beech Mtn and Turkeybone Mtn, which frame the many tributaries of the Left Fork Buckhannon River. To the south, the village of Pickens sits near the headwaters of the Right Fork Buckhannon River, connected to outlying settlements like Czar and Silica by a network of winding county roads such as the Helvetia-Pickens Rd. This map captures the remote character of Randolph County, where narrow valleys like Metzner Hollow and high landmarks such as Palace Ridge have dictated the patterns of rural life for generations.