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1964 Map of Geistown

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Geistown
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

Little Conemaugh River and its south fork dominate this landscape of the 1960s, winding through industrial valleys marked by extensive coal mining operations. The rugged topography between Geistown and South Fork is peppered with strip mines and mine dumps, reflecting the region's heavy reliance on the extractive industry. Near the river's bend, the historic Staple Bend Tunnel remains a landmark of early transportation engineering.

The map reveals a maturing suburban and institutional landscape, with several schools such as Richland High Sch and the University Park School serving the growing residential areas. Religious and community life is anchored by numerous local congregations and burial grounds, including Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Richland Cemetery. Transportation is central to the area's layout, from the Pennsylvania Railroad lines hugging the riverbanks to the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport situated on the higher plateau.