Loading map...

1936 Map of Delaware Water Gap

Name: 1936 Topographic Map of Delaware Water Gap
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Delaware Water Gap serves as the focal point for this 1930s topographic survey, where the Delaware River cuts through the massive ridges of Blue Mountain. The map captures a complex industrial and transport network at the height of the steam era, featuring the New York Susquehanna and Western RR and the Lehigh and New England RR threading through narrow river gaps and valleys. To the west, the slate-producing region near Bangor and Pen Argyl is densely settled, while the higher elevations of Godfrey Ridge and Scotts Mountain remain largely rural.

Local history details are abundant, particularly in the distribution of rural education and worship. The landscape is dotted with schoolhouses like Hartzell Sch and Fells Sch, and notable landmarks such as Three Church Hill and Oxford Church. An Emergency Landing Field near the river reflects early aviation infrastructure, while the Mt Minsi Fire Lookout Tower stands over the steep terrain of Poplar Valley. Small communities such as Centerville Stone Church PO and Manunka Chunk provide evidence of early post office and rail junction settlements in the Kittatinny Valley.