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1902 Map of Raleigh

Name: 1902 Topographic Map of Raleigh
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1910
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1910

About this map

Coal and commerce drive the landscape along the Chesapeake & Ohio RR at the turn of the century, where the river-level settlements of Thurmond and Quinnimont serve as vital hubs for the surrounding plateaus. The map details a dense network of mining and rail towns like Glenjean, Macdonald, and Mount Hope, which flourished as the New River Gorge and its tributaries were developed for resource extraction. Along the winding course of the New River, numerous small stops such as Beury, Echo, and Fire Creek are positioned between the steep canyon walls and the upland ridges.

Rising above the industrial valley floors, the topography is defined by prominent landmarks like Guyandot Mountain and the sweeping vista at Grand View. The survey illustrates the difficult terrain that shaped early transportation, including the sharp bend at Stretcher Neck and the high points of Hodge Knob and Town Creek Knob. Scattered throughout the hills are smaller locales like Prosperity and Kingsville, connected by trails and early roads to the bustling rail corridor.