The 1918 US Geological Survey topographical map titled “Davis” presents a finely detailed view of one of West Virginia’s most dramatic upland landscapes, centered on the neighboring towns of Davis and Thomas. Drawn at the practical and revealing scale of 1:62,500, it captures the region at a moment when coal, timber, rail transport, and mountain settlement were shaping the high Allegheny Plateau. Its contours describe a rugged world of ridges, ravines, and elevated valleys, while roads, waterways, and settlement marks show the human framework laid across this difficult terrain. More than a geographic record, the map is a compelling historical portrait of Tucker County and its surroundings in the early twentieth century.

Produced by the US Geological Survey, the map belongs to one of the great American cartographic enterprises of the modern era. Founded in 1879, the USGS undertook the systematic surveying of the nation’s geology, water resources, and topography, creating maps that supported mining, forestry, infrastructure, conservation, and scientific understanding. By 1918, its topographic sheets had become indispensable tools for engineers, planners, landowners, and government agencies. The “Davis” quadrangle reflects this mission with clarity and precision: elevation is translated into contour lines, drainage patterns are carefully traced, and remote mountain country is made legible without losing its complexity. It is both a technical achievement and a document of national development.

The towns of Davis and Thomas occupy a particularly evocative place on the map. Situated in the highlands of West Virginia, they developed rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries around timber extraction, coal mining, and railroad connections. Thomas, in particular, became an important coal and rail town, while Davis was closely associated with the lumber industry and access to the surrounding forested plateau. On the map, these settlements appear not as isolated mountain towns, but as active nodes within a wider industrial landscape. Roads, possible rail alignments, streams, and valleys reveal the corridors through which people, timber, coal, and goods moved across the mountains.

The physical geography shown is especially striking. The Blackwater River and its tributaries thread through a terrain of high ridges and steep-sided valleys, carving the landscape that would later become famous for its scenic drama. To the south and east lies the broader realm of Canaan Valley and the Dry Fork country, an upland basin of unusual ecological character. The dense contouring conveys the restless topography of the Allegheny Mountains: slopes fall sharply into stream courses, ridgelines rise in layered succession, and scattered peaks and uplands define the horizon. For viewers familiar with modern West Virginia, the map offers an earlier glimpse of places now associated with recreation, conservation, and natural beauty.

As a historical snapshot, the “Davis” map records a region in transition. In 1918, the forests and mountains of Tucker County were still deeply tied to extractive industry, yet the same terrain would later draw attention for its wilderness, waterfalls, ski country, and protected landscapes. The map’s topographical language—contours, waterways, roads, town symbols, and forested expanses—allows modern viewers to read both the natural structure of the land and the settlement patterns imposed upon it. It preserves the geography of a working mountain region before a century of changing land use, improved transportation, conservation efforts, and tourism altered its character. Elegant, precise, and historically resonant, it is a window into the high country of West Virginia in 1918.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Davis
• Thomas
• Blackwater River
• Canaan Valley
• Dry Fork
• Mt. Davis or similar peaks
• Unnamed valleys, creeks, and small waterways
• Surrounding forested areas
• Nearby roads and railways, if depicted
• Hills, ridges, and other geographical features

Historical context & cartographic details

• Historical 1:62,500 topographical map dated 1918
• Produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS)
• The USGS is known for extensive mapping and geological work across the United States, supporting land use, conservation, and development
• Uses detailed contour lines to show elevation changes
• Reflects the mountainous terrain of West Virginia
• Likely uses early 20th-century cartographic color gradients to indicate relief and terrain features
• Serves as a historical snapshot of local geography, settlement patterns, land use, and infrastructure in the early 1900s

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.