1957 Map of Harrisburg

About this map

The Susquehanna River and its major tributaries, including the Juniata River and West Branch Susquehanna River, carve through the distinctive ridge-and-valley landscape of central Pennsylvania. This 1957 survey illustrates the complex geography of the Allegheny Mountains, where parallel ridges like Blue Mountain and Tuscarora Mountain dictated the expansion of transportation and settlement. The capital city of Harrisburg anchors the map, serving as a hub for the Penn Central and Reading railroads, while industrial centers such as Pottsville, Shamokin, and Sunbury are shown following the coal-rich valleys to the east. Large military installations like US Mil Res Indiantown Gap and US Mil Res Letterkenny emphasize the region's strategic importance during the mid-century. From the agricultural Kishcoquillas Valley to the university town of State College, the map documents a region balanced between natural resource extraction, agriculture, and government administration.