1904 Map of Beaver

About this map

The confluence of the Beaver River and the Ohio River serves as the industrial and transit anchor of this western Pennsylvania region at the opening of the 20th century. Established river towns like Beaver, Rochester, and New Brighton line the banks, showing the dense street grids of early riverfront development. Heavy rail infrastructure defines the landscape, with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie RR and the Pennsylvania RR following the river valleys to connect these manufacturing hubs. Beyond the urban centers of Beaver Falls and Monaca, the topography rises into dissected plateaus marked by smaller landings and rural settlements such as Bellowsville and Smiths Ferry. The river itself is managed by early navigational infrastructure, including Dam No. 5 and Dam No. 6, which regulated water levels for the heavy commercial traffic essential to the local economy.