1912 Map of Welch

About this map

Welch serves as the focal point of this 1912 survey, situated at the confluence of Elkhorn Creek and the Tug Fork. This era in McDowell County is defined by the extensive reach of the Norfolk and Western RR, which snakes through the narrow valleys to serve a dense network of coal-related settlements. Places like Coalwood, Gary, and Kimball are linked by the rail lines that follow the winding paths of Browns Creek and the Sandy River. The topography is marked by prominent high points such as Hensley Knob and the long stretch of Indian Ridge, which forms the boundary with Wyoming County. This map documents the early 20th-century landscape of the West Virginia coalfields, showing established post offices like Yukon PO and Hallsville PO alongside numerous small rail stops and industrial hamlets.