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1903 Map of Hollidaysburg

Name: 1903 Topographic Map of Hollidaysburg
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1911
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1911

About this map

Frankstown Branch Juniata River carves through the prominent ridgelines of central Pennsylvania, shaping a landscape defined by the sharp folds of Loop Mountain and Lock Mountain. During this early 20th-century period, the area served as a vital transportation corridor, with the Pennsylvania R. R. and the Altoona Div. following the water gaps to connect industrial centers. The borough of Hollidaysburg and adjacent Gaysport sit at a strategic juncture where the rail lines and river meet, surrounded by numerous small villages such as Duncansville and Lakemont.

The southern reaches of the map show a shift toward a spring-fed agricultural and industrial economy. Settlements like Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, and Orehill are linked by a dense network of secondary roads and local rail spurs. The complex topography, including the distinct Dry Gap and the rising wall of Allegheny Mountain to the west, restricted development to the valleys, resulting in the concentrated settlement patterns seen at Newry and East Freedom.