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1956 Map of Fleetwood

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Fleetwood
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The borough of Fleetwood and the surrounding Berks County townships show a landscape deeply shaped by early Pennsylvania industry and agriculture. Named for its proximity to Furnace Creek, Oley Furnace stands as a primary landmark in the southern portion of the map, while Furnace Hill suggests the historical importance of local iron production. The transition from industrial roots to a post-war suburban and recreational character is visible in the emergence of the Rich Maiden Golf Course and several trailer parks, alongside the established operations of the Conrail railroad lines passing through Walnuttown and Lyons.

Rural education and faith are well-preserved in the settlement patterns, with numerous small schoolhouses like Mellon Sch, Stimmels Sch, and Dreibelbis Sch dotting the valley. The map details a network of family-named hills and water bodies, including Andstadt Hill and Bieber Creek, which provide essential context for genealogical research. Revisions from the 1970s, noted in purple, highlight the gradual expansion of residential areas like Alsace Manor and Oley Valley.