1922 Map of Spruce Knob

About this map

Spruce Knob dominates the high-altitude terrain of the Potomac Highlands in the early 1920s, anchoring a landscape defined by the ridgelines of Spruce Mountain and Alleghany Mountain. This survey reveals a deeply dispersed settlement pattern where life centered around small mountain gaps and isolated post offices like Osceola Po. The complex network of watercourses, including the North Fork and Gandy Creek, dictated the placement of dozens of rural schoolhouses such as Dam School and Hinkle School, which served families across the Randolph and Pendleton County borders. Unusual local names like The Burning and The Pigs Ear appear alongside established landmarks like the Staunton and Parkersburg Pike, providing a detailed look at the geography before modern development. Notable features like Blister Swamp and Smoke Camp Knob highlight the diverse topography preserved within the Monongahela National Forest during its formative years.