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1953 Map of Blue Ridge Summit

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Blue Ridge Summit
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park dominate the southern portion of this landscape, where the Appalachian Trail winds through the terrain near landmarks like Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock. This mid-century survey captures a complex borderland where the Mason and Dixon Line separates Pennsylvania and Maryland, cutting through settlements like Highfield and Blue Ridge Summit. The map documents a significant intersection of transport and institutional history, featuring the Western Maryland railroad passing through the Jacks Mountain Tunnel and the prominent Victor Cullen State Hospital near Sabillasville.

Military and recreational history intersect at Lake Royer and the Fort Ritchie Raven Rock Site, reflecting the area's strategic and high-altitude importance. Smaller rural communities like Foxville, Lantz (Deerfield Sta), and Thurmont are shown with their local religious hubs, including Germantown Ch and Apples Ch, providing a detailed look at the social geography of the region during this period of development.