1963 Map of Trace

About this map

Twelvepole Creek and its myriad forks dominate this rugged landscape at the intersection of Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne Counties. In the early 1960s, the region's economy is clearly defined by natural gas extraction, with numerous Gas Wells and a major Pipeline cutting through the narrow valleys. The settlement pattern follows the water, with the community of Dingess and the Trace post office serving as local hubs. Genealogists will find a high density of family-named landmarks and institutions, such as the Hugh Dingess Sch, Sol Adams Cem, and Mullins Cem, which reflect the deep-rooted kinship ties of these Appalachian hollows. The map also documents a network of rural education that was still active or recently transitioned, evidenced by several scattered schoolhouses like Dalton Sch No 3 and Frances Creek Sch.