1891 Map of Warfield

About this map

Tug Fork of Big Sandy River carves the vital border between West Virginia and Kentucky in this survey from the mid-1880s. The region is defined by its deep river valleys and the recent arrival of the Norfolk and Western R.R. (Ohio Division), which follows the winding watercourse through coal-rich borderlands. Key transportation hubs like Warfield and Williamson are depicted in their early years of development, alongside smaller riverside stops including Matewan, Naugatuck, and Delorme. This map captures the industrial transition of the Central Appalachian coalfields before the turn of the century. Away from the main river, a dense network of mountain streams such as Pigeon Creek and Marrowbone Creek dictate the settlement patterns of Logan, Wayne, and Martin counties. The intricate topography reveals the logistical challenges of early rail construction through the Dingess tunnel area and the rugged timber and mining country of the era.