Geology of the Ohio River Valley in WV

From Historic Maps Published By The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey

The Publication

On December 1, 1956 the WV Geological Survey published this report on the geology and economic resources of the Ohio River Valley in West Virginia including the Little Kanawha River Valley. Following is the transmittal letter from then State Geologist  Paul H. Price  to  William C. Marland  Governor and President, Geological and Economic Survey Commission.

Image of letter of transmittal for this 1956 publication
Image of letter of transmittal for this 1956 publication

Letter of Transmittal


The Maps

Part of the volume is a series of maps

  • Map I is a special strip map of the area adjacent to the Ohio River which was prepared to aid in the general study of geological features and the geography of the area. Its unconventional orientation was adopted in order to make it possible to print the entire map on a narrow strip of paper for convenience in handling. The map is drawn to scale except for the the Ohio River itself and the lower courses of the principle tributaries. These have been exaggerated to four times normal width. The disproportionate representation of the actual size of the river and major tributaries required some modification of the land area, especially in the sharper bends in the course of the river. All other features on Map I have been drafted as nearly accurately as available information and scale of the map would allow.
  • Map II (Sheets 1, 2, and 3) - This map was too large to be printed on one sheet, so three sheets were made which can be fitted together. The legend is exactly the same for all three sheets. The various types of geology and geographic information and the principal cultural features (roads, towns, dams, tunnels, etc.) are shown by various colors, line patterns, and symbols. A supplemental index to special features is contained in the Appendixes. This includes names, brief descriptions of or information about archeological sites, historical points, state institutions, factories, industrial plants, state parks, recreation areas, game preserves, geological sections, geologic interest points, oil and gas fields, and other features.

Map I

This map depicts the entire Ohio River Valley at a scale of 1:250,000.

 Using the map navigation tools will allow you to explore the entire map 

 Clicking on a point displays additional information 

Map II Sheet 1

This map depicts the Ohio River Valley from the top of the northern panhandle downstream to Mills Creek Island at a scale of 1:125,000.

 Using the map navigation tools will allow you to explore the entire map 

 Clicking on a point displays additional information 

In addition to geology, economic resources were another focus of the publication, one of those being the locations of factories and heavy industries.

Map II Sheet 2

This map depicts the Ohio River Valley from Mills Creek Island downstream to Great Bend in the Ohio River and includes the Little Kanawha River Valley at a scale of 1:125,000.

 Using the map navigation tools will allow you to explore the entire map 

 Clicking on a point displays additional information 

Map II Sheet 3

This map depicts the Ohio River Valley from Great Bend in the Ohio River downstream to the mouth of the Big Sandy River at a scale of 1:125,000.

 Using the map navigation tools will allow you to explore the entire map 

 Clicking on a point displays additional information 

If you enjoyed this tour you might want to explore some of our other maps in the collection

Linked content provided by:

Memorial to Paul Holland Price

The Geological Society of America, Inc.

William C. Marland Biography

Peter Tarr Furnace

Tarr, Pam and Daniel Hart "Peter Tarr Furnace." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. 01 July 2022. Web. 18 April 2023.

Volcano WV History

mackeysclockrepair.com

Ritchy Mine

Larry Bartlett, 2006-2023 West Virginia Encyclopedia

Silver rush in western West Virginia came to naught

David Sibray, 2023 West Virginia Explorer

Gallipolis Locks & Dam

Historic American Engineering Record (Library of Congress)

Teays Valley; Mineral Wells

 2023 West Virginia Explorer

Big Moses Well

West Virginia & Regional History Center

Falls Mills Description

Mountain State Waterfalls 2022

Rathbone Well

Sturm, Philip "The Rathbone Well." e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia. 11 March 2014. Web. 18 April 2023.

Letter of Transmittal