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1956 Map of Harrisburg

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Harrisburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Harrisburg anchors the southern edge of this mid-century landscape, where the wide Susquehanna River cuts through the sequential ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. The map reveals the intricate infrastructure of the state capital, including the massive Rockville Bridge and the sprawling State Farm Show Bldg, alongside established residential areas like Penbrook and Paxtang. North of the city, the terrain is dominated by the parallel lines of Blue Mountain, Second Mountain, and Third Mountain, with the Appalachian Trail following the crest of Peters Mountain.

The industrial and social fabric of the 1950s is evident in the network of the Pennsylvania and Reading railroads and the numerous neighborhood landmarks. Researchers will find a high density of educational and spiritual sites, from the Wm Penn High Sch to rural outposts like Boyer Memorial Ch and Good Hope Mills. The presence of the Ft Hunter Museum and the Water Gap Observation Tower indicates a region balancing its heavy transportation role with emerging recreational and historical preservation.