Loading map...

1956 Map of Harrisburg

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Harrisburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1965
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1965

About this map

The Susquehanna River carves a dramatic corridor through a succession of ridges including Peters Mountain and Blue Mountain, anchoring a landscape defined by transportation and governance. In the mid-1950s, Harrisburg is established as a bustling hub, centered around the State Capitol and serviced by a complex network of infrastructure, from the Reading Railroad to the massive Rockville Bridge. Across the water, the rail yards at Enola and the riverfront communities of West Fairview and Wormleysburg illustrate the industrial expansion of the capital region.

Further north, the terrain transitions to a series of agricultural valleys and narrow gaps. Significant local landmarks like Fort Hunter and the Water Gap Observation Tower stand near the river's edge, while the Appalachian Trail follows the high ridgelines. The map documents numerous rural institutions, such as St Johns Ch and Shannon Sch, alongside early suburban growth in Paxtonia and Colonial Park, capturing the shift from traditional river towns to an integrated metropolitan area.