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1953 Map of Ashland

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Ashland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1966
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1966

About this map

The industrial heart of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Region is defined here by the deep incisions of Mahanoy Creek and the heavy footprint of the coal industry. In this mid-century survey, the borough of Centralia is shown in its era of peak physical density, prior to the environmental crisis that would later redefine the town. The landscape is heavily marked by the region's primary economy, featuring extensive mine dumps, tailings, and the Big Mine Run works.

Transit and social infrastructure are centered around the primary settlements of Ashland and Girardville, where the Reading and Lehigh Valley railroads trace the valley floors. Local landmarks such as the Miners Hospital and Immaculate Heart Academy reflect the community's established civic life, while the Centralia Fire Tower stands atop the ridge of Conyngham Valley. The map also captures mid-century cultural shifts with the inclusion of a Drive-in Theater near Fountain Springs.