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1958 Map of Thornton

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Thornton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

The Tygart Valley River and the expanding Tygart Reservoir dominate the southwestern corner of this West Virginia landscape, where mid-century industrial activity met established rural communities. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad follows the winding course of Three Fork Creek, serving the coal and clay industries concentrated around Thornton. This era shows a mix of extraction and recreation, with Tygart Lake State Park established along the water while a Silica Mine, Kilns, and various Strip Mines are active in the surrounding hills.

Local life is anchored by numerous country churches and schools, such as Mt View Sch and Wesley Chapel. Small settlements like Knottsville, Millertown, and Evansville are connected by a network of backroads and a prominent Telephone Line. The topography is marked by deep hollows like Sigler Hollow and several family-named landmarks including Shaws Chapel and Martin Beulah Ch, providing a detailed look at the cultural geography of Taylor and Preston Counties in the late 1950s.