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1970 Map of Rio

Name: 1970 Topographic Map of Rio
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The North River cuts through the ridges of the Appalachian Highlands in this 1970 survey, anchoring the small community of Rio at the southern edge of the map. This landscape is defined by the parallel elevations of Short Mountain, Stony Mountain, and Hunting Ridge, which dictate the placement of roads and early settlements. The presence of the Sherman Public Hunting Area along the central ridge highlights the transition toward conservation and public land management in West Virginia during this era.

Local history and genealogy are well-represented by the distribution of small rural institutions. Educational and spiritual centers like Mountaindale Sch, Grassy Lick Sch, and Hotts Chapel Cem are tucked into the valleys and gaps between the peaks. The map captures the intricate drainage system of the North Fork Little Cacapon River and Sperry Run, showing how early Hampshire County life followed these narrow watercourses.