1963 Map of Wharncliffe

About this map

The Norfolk and Western railroad winds through the deep valleys of the Cumberland Plateau in this mid-century survey, following the sharp bends of the Tug Fork river. This watercourse serves as a critical boundary where the corners of West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky converge, linking coal-dependent settlements like Wharncliffe, War Eagle, and Alnwick. The landscape is heavily marked by the extractive industries of the era, shown through numerous Strip Mines, several Tipples, and a Compressor Station along the Magnolia Glen. Local life centers around small mountain gaps and hollows, where family-named landmarks and institutions like the Ben Creek Sch and Hardy Union Sch serve isolated communities. Notable post offices, including Wyoming City (Mohawk PO) and Gilbert Creek (Baisden PO), highlight the geographic importance of these rail-side junctions.