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1948 Map of Belair

Name: 1948 Topographic Map of Belair
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1948
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1948

About this map

Bel Air serves as a primary hub in this late-1940s survey of the borderlands between Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Maryland and Pennsylvania railroad carves a winding path through the northern landscape, connecting the twin settlements of Delta and Cardiff. This region, documented just after the war, reflects a transition from traditional agriculture to a more complex rural economy. Evidence of past industry is found near Dublin, where the map identifies a Talc (Abandoned) mine and a Flint (Abandoned) site, signaling the decline of local mineral extraction.

The map's detail is particularly valuable for genealogists, recording numerous rural institutions such as the Schreff Youths Benefit School and Broad Creek Meeting House. Along the banks of Deer Creek and Broad Creek, the landscape is dotted with named schools like Valley School and Wheeler School, while the southern reaches feature the Broad Creek Memorial Camp. The distribution of these community landmarks alongside the Maryland and Pennsylvania rail line provides a clear look at the social and economic geography of Harford County at mid-century.