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1950 Map of Frankford

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Frankford
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

Philadelphia and its northern suburbs are captured here at the mid-century peak of their industrial and residential expansion. The landscape is defined by the heavy presence of government and institutional sites, notably the Frankford Arsenal and the U S Naval Supply Depot, which sit as massive hubs of activity near the Delaware River. Dense residential neighborhoods like Frankford, Mayfair, and Wissinoming transition into the more suburban atmosphere of Abington and Rockledge to the north.

Transport networks are a major focus, with the Reading RR and Roosevelt Boulevard facilitating movement between the city and surrounding Montgomery County. Large tracts of land are dedicated to the dead, including the expansive Har Nebo Cem and Lawnview Cemetery, while the green corridor of Pennypack Park provides a break in the urban grid as it follows the winding Pennypack Creek. The map reflects an era of established community institutions, from the Ogontz Jr College to various specialized hospitals and vocational schools.