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1953 Map of Irwin

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Irwin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The industrial corridor of the Pennsylvania railroad and the Lincoln Highway defines this portion of Westmoreland County during the mid-century. Industrial and mining operations are woven into the landscape, evidenced by numerous Strip Mines and the Coke Ovens near Ardara. While larger hubs like Irwin and Jeannette anchor the commercial geography, the map reveals a dense network of smaller coal-patch towns and residential clusters such as Shafton, Paintertown, and Wendel.

Deep historical roots are marked by the Bushy Run Battlefield State Park in the northeast and the Bradocks Camp Historical Marker near Rillton. Genealogists will find a wealth of specific local landmarks, from the Old Quaker Cem to the House of Prayer Mission. The transition from rural agrarian land to suburban development is visible in the emergence of the Irwin Airport and the Pleasant Valley Turnpike Service Facility, showing how the Pennsylvania Turnpike began to reshape local transit and land use.