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1897 Map of Tazewell

Name: 1897 Topographic Map of Tazewell
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

The West Virginia Virginia Boundary Line cuts through this 1890s survey, revealing a landscape of high ridges and narrow valleys defined by early coal and timber infrastructure. The Norfolk and Western RR follows the Clinch River through the southern half of the sheet, connecting settlements like Richlands and Cedar Bluff to the county seat at Tazewell. To the north, the rail line follows Elkhorn Creek through the industrial hubs of Welch, Kimball, and Vivian.

Detailed topographic work by Hersey Munroe captures the rugged character of Clinch Mountain and the Jefferson National Forest. Researchers can find small, localized industry at Foundry Mill and Shock Mills, or trace family roots in long-standing communities such as Baptist Valley, Steelesburg, and Sayersville. The map also preserves the location of Old Peeryville and numerous gaps like Indian Gap and Gap of Sandy, which dictated the movement of commerce through the Appalachians.