1958 Map of St Paul

About this map

The Clinch River carves a deep path through the coal-bearing ridges of Southwest Virginia, where the industrial presence of the Clinchfield RR and Norfolk and Western RR defines the landscape. The town of St Paul serves as a central hub where these rail lines intersect, supporting a network of mining operations marked by strip mines and mine dumps along Sandy Ridge. Genealogy and local history are exceptionally well-documented through dozens of family-named burial grounds, including the Salyer, Holbrook, and Bickley cemeteries. Small settlements like Dante and Virginia City are tucked into the hollows, while religious life is anchored by landmarks such as Dingus Memorial Church and Stallard Memorial Church. Engineering feats of the era, such as the Big Bull Tunnel and Craigen Tunnel, highlight the heavy infrastructure required to move coal through the mountains.