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1956 Map of Columbia East

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Columbia East
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1968
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1968

About this map

The Susquehanna River Lake Clarke defines the southwestern edge of this landscape, where Shad Island sits just offshore from Washington Boro. The terrain is characterized by the prominent rise of Chestnut Hill, which separates the river valley from the inland farming communities of West Hempfield and East Hempfield. Transportation networks are densely woven across the quadrangle, featuring the competing lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Reading Railroad, alongside major thoroughfares like the Lincoln Highway and the Harrisburg Pike.

Smaller settlements such as Salunga, Landisville, and Silver Spring are clustered around these transit corridors, reflecting a transition from rural crossroads to suburban centers. Local institutions are well-documented, including St Josephs Academy, the Camp Meeting Grounds near Landisville, and several country churches like Manor Ch and Habecker Ch. The map also captures specialized land uses such as the Garden Spot Air Park and industrial or mining remnants near Grubb Lake and Mud Lake.