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1964 Map of Columbia West

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Columbia West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1990
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1990

About this map

The Susquehanna River dominates this landscape, carved into a wide channel where Lake Clarke forms behind southern dams. Along the northern banks, the industrial and transport corridor of the Penn Central and Reading Railroad links historic river towns like Marietta and Columbia, where the street grids reflect a dense 19th-century settlement pattern. Further inland, the map captures the transition to the fertile agriculture of Lancaster and York Counties, dotted with family cemeteries such as Strickler Cem and local landmarks like the Donegal Springs Airpark.

The prominent heights of the Hellam Hills rise sharply from the western shore, featuring distinct formations like Chickies Rock and Buzzards Roost. This 1964 survey, updated with 1987 revisions, provides a clear view of the area's mid-century growth, from the expansion of Mount Joy to the specialized facilities at St Josephs Hospital. The map also preserves the locations of numerous country congregations, including Florin Ch and Calvary Ch, essential for genealogical research in this historic river valley.