1965 Map of Strange Creek

About this map

The Elk River winds through the central Appalachians in this mid-1960s study, defining the boundary between Braxton and Clay counties. The landscape is characterized by a dense network of watercourses and deep hollows, where the Birch River meets the Elk at Glendon. The extractive economy of the era is clearly visible through numerous gas wells and oil wells scattered across the ridges, including concentrations near Bragg Knob and Snake Knob. Small rural settlements like Strange Creek and Servia serve as local hubs, connected by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad which tracks the river's path. Local life is anchored by community landmarks such as Villanova Ch, Valley Chapel, and the Flat Fork Sch, while several family burial grounds like Murphy Cem and Goad Cem provide essential data for those tracing local family roots in the region.