2023 Map of Sylvester

About this map

The Big Coal River snakes through the heart of the Boone County coalfields, dictating the placement of historic mining settlements and early transport routes. In this modern survey, the dense concentration of family cemeteries such as Mount Hope Cem, Bowen Cem, and Oxley Cem provides a clear genealogical map of the valley's long-term residency. Small hamlets like Prenter, Sylvester, and Seth are connected by winding valley roads including Coal River Rd and Seth - Prenter Rd, which trace the narrow corridors between steep ridges. The terrain is defined by an intricate network of waterways like White Oak Creek and Joes Creek, which carve out the hollows where much of the area's local history is concentrated. This map serves as an essential tool for those tracing family lineages in the coal branches or studying the persistent layout of these Appalachian river towns.