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1907 Map of Thornton

Name: 1907 Topographic Map of Thornton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1907
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1907

About this map

Newburg and Tunnelton serve as the primary hubs in this mountainous landscape during the early twentieth century, their development dictated by the winding path of the Baltimore and Ohio RR. The rail corridor follows the drainage of Threefork Creek, carving a vital transportation artery through the heart of Preston and Taylor counties. This era reveals a transition from traditional turnpike travel to steam-powered transit, as the Northwestern Turnpike and Morgantown Turnpike cross-stitch the countryside, linking smaller settlements like Evansville and Knottsville.

A dense network of rural community landmarks defines the social geography, with numerous one-room schools and churches scattered across the ridges. Locations such as Slabtown Schoolhouse, McConkey Schoolhouse, and Bethel Church provide specific coordinates for genealogical research. The map also documents early industrial presence in places like Irondale and Browns Mills, while the numerous benchmarks (BM) and precisely surveyed elevations near Mt Phoebe illustrate the topographic complexity of the West Virginia highlands.