1996 Map of Whitesville

About this map

Coal River and its southern fork define the topography of this central West Virginia landscape, where the narrow valleys are crowded with small hamlets and mining infrastructure. The confluence of the Clear Fork and Marsh Fork at Whitesville serves as the focal point for a string of communities extending along the riverbanks, including Jarrolds Valley, Leevale, and Pettus. The industry of the mid-1990s is visible in the numerous strip mines and tipples that dot the ridges and hollows, particularly around Montcoal and Stickney. Local history is preserved in small family and community burial grounds such as Jarrells Cem and Asbury Cem. Higher elevations like Kayford Mountain and Bald Knob rise above the complex network of creeks, while educational centers like Marsh Fork High Sch anchor the rural population centers. The presence of an Old RR Grade near Garrison highlights the region's long-standing connection between rail transport and resource extraction.