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1891 Map of Easton

Name: 1891 Topographic Map of Easton
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1928
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1928

About this map

Easton and Phillipsburg serve as the industrial anchors of this late 19th-century landscape, positioned at the critical confluence where the Delaware River meets the Lehigh. The map reveals an intricate network of early transportation infrastructure, where the Morris Canal, Delaware Division Canal, and Pennsylvania Canal parallel the riverbanks alongside emerging rail lines like the Lehigh Valley Railroad. This transition from water-based transport to steam power is visible in the dense grid of South Easton and the strategic placement of rail corridors through gaps in the Marble Mountain and Scotts Mountain ranges.

Beyond the urban centers, the terrain is defined by the steep ridges of Musconetcong Mountain and the fertile valleys of the Musconetcong River and Pohatcong Creek. Small settlements such as Stewartsville, Bloomsbury, and Riegelsville dot the landscape, often situated near water gaps or along the numerous hills including Morgans Hill and Rattle Snake Hill. The map meticulously details the early boundaries of Hunterdon and Northampton counties, providing a clear view of the rural township structures before 20th-century expansion.