1904 Map of Lancaster

About this map

Manheim and Lititz anchor a landscape defined by an intricate network of turnpikes and railroads at the dawn of the twentieth century. The Pennsylvania R.R. and Philadelphia and Reading R.R. intersect at strategic points like Lancaster Junction, supporting a regional economy tied to the agricultural and industrial outputs of the Pennsylvania Dutch country. Grounded in the survey work of J. H. Wheat and W. Carvel Hall, this topographic study reveals the importance of water power and early manufacturing, noting sites such as Govers Mill on Back Run and the Elizabeth Furnace near the northern gaps. To the south, the city of Lancaster is shown with its radial transportation lines, including the Lancaster and Millersville Electric R.R. and the Lancaster and Ephrata Turnpike. This survey offers a precise record of rural life, from the Pleasant View Church to the small-scale settlements of Mastersonville and Neffsville that dotted the limestone valleys before modern expansion.