2016 Map of Romance

About this map

The Pocatalico River and its numerous tributaries, including Sugar Cr and Grapevine Cr, carve a landscape of deep hollows and high ridges across the borders of Jackson, Kanawha, and Roane counties. Small settlements like Romance, Advent, and Blundon are linked by a network of winding county routes that follow the valley floors. The map reveals a high density of family cemeteries, such as Carney Cem, Lanham Cem, and Vickers Cem, reflecting a long history of rural kin-based settlement. In the south, the community of Sissonville sits near the confluence of several creeks, while to the north, the terrain rises toward Gunstock Knob. Local landmarks like the Pleasant Grove Church and the Black Forest Plantation suggest the cultural and agricultural character of these West Virginia hills.