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1933 Map of Saint Albans

Name: 1933 Topographic Map of Saint Albans
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1939
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1939

About this map

The Kanawha River serves as the industrial and transportation backbone of this region during the 1930s, connecting established river towns like Saint Albans and Nitro. The influence of the river is complemented by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and the New York Central Railroad, which follow the valley corridors. Significant rural infrastructure is evident through the dense placement of educational and religious centers, such as the New Hope Church and the Infirmary School.

Beyond the primary river valleys, the landscape transitions into a complex network of ridges and hollows defined by the Coal River and the Pocatalico River. Local history is preserved in distinctive place names like Seldom Seen, Big Scary, and Black Betsey. This survey documents a transitional era where traditional river-and-rail economies supported expanding settlements like Dunbar and Institute, while isolated post offices like Tornado P O continued to serve the more remote interior populations.