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1923 Map of Richwood

Name: 1923 Topographic Map of Richwood
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1923
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1923

About this map

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad snakes through the mountainous terrain of Nicholas and Greenbrier counties, serving the industrial heart of Richwood and the smaller settlements of Fenwick and Dain. This early 1920s topography reveals a landscape transitioning between remote timber-rich ridges and burgeoning mining or industrial hubs like Quinwood, Crichton, and Bellburn. The map documents a dense network of local education, featuring dozens of rural campuses such as Snow Hill School, Eureka School, and Mayflower School, often located at remote crossroads or along creek forks.

Industrial and community life centers on the river valleys, where Hominy Mill and Saxman sit near the base of prominent peaks like Thorny Knob and Wildcat Knob. The boundary between Nicholas and Greenbrier counties is marked by physical landmarks such as Davis Ridge and Rocky Ridge. For researchers, the presence of specific family-named locales like Linn Low Place and Jetsville offers a clear view of local settlement patterns before modern development consolidated these smaller communities.