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1916 Map of Richlands

Name: 1916 Topographic Map of Richlands
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1920
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1920

About this map

Richlands and Cedar Bluff anchor the southeastern corridor of this 1914–1915 survey, where the Norfolk and Western railway follows the Clinch River valley through the heart of the Appalachian coal country. The landscape is defined by its deep ridges and gaps, including Keen Mountain, Red Root Ridge, and Jewell Ridge, which separate the myriad creek branches that sustained early 20th-century mountain communities.

Local history and genealogy interests are well-served by the density of identified rural schools and small settlements such as Antioch School, Whitewood School, Horton School, and the community at Red Ash. The map captures the industrial and social infrastructure of Tazewell Co, Buchanan Co, and Russell Co at a time when the railroad was the primary connector for towns like Honaker and Swords Creek to the wider world.