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1894 Map of Allentown

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Allentown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1909
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1909

About this map

The industrial and transport corridors of the Lehigh Valley are clearly defined in this late 19th-century survey. The Lehigh River serves as the primary axis, flanked by an intensive network of competing rail lines including the Lehigh Valley RR and the Central RR of New Jersey. Parallel to the river, the Lehigh Canal remains a prominent feature, indicating the continued importance of water-based transport for the region's heavy industries and coal trade.

Settlement patterns show a dense cluster of boroughs such as Catasauqua, Coplay, and Hokendauqua, many of which were centers of iron production. Beyond the industrial riverfront, the map details established rural communities like Schoenersville and Hecktown, along with distinctive landmarks such as Hexenkopf Hill and Quaker Hill. The intricate topography around Saucon Creek illustrates the complex drainage systems that supported both agriculture and early milling operations.