1966 Map of Providence Forge

About this map

Providence Forge serves as a central hub in the mid-1960s where the Chesapeake and Ohio railway meets the Chickahominy River corridor. The landscape is defined by its deep woods and water-fed lowlands, notably Jerdones Big Woods and the winding reaches of Schiminoe Creek. Small rural communities and crossroads like Mountcastle, Adkins Store, and Roaches Corner are scattered across the terrain, often anchored by local congregations such as Mt Calvary Ch, Emmaus Ch, and Little Elam Ch. These settlements reflect a traditional Tidewater Virginia pattern where development follows the higher ground between swampy drainages like Toe Ink Swamp and Big Swamp. The presence of the Gaging Sta on the Chickahominy and the Lookout Tower near the Charles City County line highlight the importance of river monitoring and forestry management in this period.