1961 Map of Zaleski

About this map

Zaleski serves as a central hub in the rugged hollows of Vinton County during the early 1960s, shaped by the rail corridors of the Baltimore And Ohio and Chesapeake And Ohio. The landscape is a complex weave of public lands, including the Wayne National Forest and Zaleski State Forest, where steep ridges like Pumpkin Ridge and Atkinson Ridge separate narrow valleys. Historical land use is visible in the numerous Strip Mine sites and a Gravel Pit along the Elk Fork, while an ancient Indian Mound near the town site points to a much deeper history of the area. Local social structures are well-documented through rural landmarks such as the County Childrens Home, Swan Sch, and several remote cemeteries including Wesley Chapel Cem and Prose Cem, providing valuable data for genealogical research in this coal-and-timber region.