1898 Map of Chester

About this map

Media and the industrial riverfront of Chester anchor this late-19th-century survey of Delaware County. The landscape is defined by the radial drainage of Chester Creek, Ridley Creek, and Crum Creek as they flow toward the Delaware River. Along these waterways, early industrial and educational landmarks appear, including Sycamore Mills, Ivy Mills, and the Williamson School. The map illustrates a transitional era where established turnpikes like the Westchester Turnpike and Baltimore Pike operated alongside an expanding rail network, including the Reading RR and the Phila. & West Chester Electric RR. To the north, the terrain transitions into the more sparsely settled townships of Willistown and Newtown, while the riverfront is dotted with islands like Little Tinicum Id. and Chester Id. before modern shoreline modifications.