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1961 Map of Rio Grande

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of Rio Grande
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

Wayne National Forest dominates the northern reaches of this Gallia County landscape, where the topography is defined by the winding course of Little Raccoon Creek and its many tributaries like Keeton Run and Hungry Run. The 1961 survey, updated in the mid-1970s, captures the rural character of southeastern Ohio as it transitioned through a period of persistent coal extraction. Evidence of this industry is scattered across the terrain, from the Keystone Mine and various strip mines in the north to a Borrow Pit further south.

Settlement patterns center on the village of Rio Grande and the community of Thurman, both connected by a network of winding valley roads. Genealogists will find a wealth of named cemeteries, such as Thurman Cem, McNeal Cem, and Bethany Cem, many of which sit adjacent to established country churches like Bethany Ch and Ebenezer Ch. The southwestern quadrant is preserved as the Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area, maintaining the wooded character of the Smoky Hollow Creek drainage.