1935 Map of St Paul

About this map

Coal and iron transport dominate the landscape where the Clinchfield Railroad and Norfolk and Western Railway converge. The industrial character of the mid-1930s is visible in the heavy concentration of rail infrastructure, including the Lonesome Pine Tunnel, Craigen Tunnel, and the expansive Crusher Yard near St Paul. Settlement patterns follow the narrow valleys and ridges, with the mining community of Dante tucked under Sandy Ridge and West Dante situated near Austin Gap. Local life is anchored by numerous rural institutions such as Temple Hill Sch, Gose Sch, and Zion Ch. The Clinch River meanders sharply through the southern portion of the map, carving deep bends near Burtons Ford and Castlewood. This map captures a pivotal era of extraction and rail-driven commerce in Southwest Virginia.