1955 Map of Beverly

About this map

Philadelphia State Hospital and the nearby County Prison Farm anchor the western edge of this mid-century landscape, illustrating the sprawling institutional developments that defined the outskirts of Philadelphia during this era. The Delaware River serves as a central artery, separating the industrial and residential clusters of Bensalem and Bristol in Pennsylvania from the established New Jersey communities of Beverly and Riverside. This survey reveals a region in transition, where educational and religious institutions like Holy Ghost Missionary College and Nazareth Academy sit alongside burgeoning suburban developments like Croydon Acres. The riverbanks are active with Delran Harbor and the confluence of Rancocas Creek, highlighting the importance of the waterway for both commerce and recreation before the intensification of modern highway infrastructure. The presence of Beverly National Cemetery provides a significant genealogical touchstone for the area.