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1926 Map of Welch

Name: 1926 Topographic Map of Welch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Welch serves as the focal point of this McDowell County survey, showing the town at a critical juncture of industrial growth along the Norfolk and Western RR. The map reveals an intricate network of coal-related settlements and company towns branching off the main rail lines, including Coalwood, Gary, and Elbert. The landscape is dominated by the steep drainages of the Tug Fork and Elkhorn Creek, where narrow valleys dictated the placement of every schoolhouse and siding.

Local researchers can trace the early 20th-century development of the Pocahontas Coalfield through named operations like the Warrior Mine and various post offices such as Yukon PO and Dry Fork Lomax PO. Significant elevation changes are marked by landmarks like Indian Ridge and Belcher Mountain, while rural education is well-documented by several community hubs including Mill Creek School and Shannon Branch School.