1928 Map of Ravenswood

About this map

The Ohio River carves a dramatic oxbow known as the Great Bend in this 1920s survey, dictating the development of riverside communities like Ravenswood and Letart Falls. The landscape is defined by the logistics of the era, where the Baltimore & Ohio RR follows the riverbanks and engineering landmarks like Lock No 24 and Lock No 23 facilitate river traffic. Inland, the rugged terrain of Jackson and Mason Counties is dotted with an exceptionally high density of rural institutions, such as the Mountain Flower School, Red Mud School, and Jackson Chapel. This distribution of one-room schoolhouses and country churches reflects a dispersed agricultural society before mid-century school consolidations. Along the southern edge, the Kanawha & Michigan RR skirts the Kanawha River, connecting small settlements like Gnuville and Baden to the broader regional economy.