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1891 Map of Lebanon

Name: 1891 Topographic Map of Lebanon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1891
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1891

About this map

Lebanon stands as the central hub of this late 19th-century landscape, where a dense network of iron and transport infrastructure converged. The map detail highlights the significance of the Cornwall Railroad and the Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad as they served the heavy industry of Cornwall, a crucial mining and smelting center. Beyond the industrial core, the region is defined by distinct agricultural townships like Bethel, Jackson, and Heidelberg, each dotted with historic crossroads and post offices.

Waterways such as Swatara Creek and Tulpehocken Creek wind through the valleys between Blue Mountain and South Mountain, providing the drainage and power for numerous settlements. Detailed surveying shows the early growth of Meyerstown and Jonestown, as well as the placement of rural landmarks like Millersburg (Bethel P.O.) and Greenville (Greble P.O.). This era represents the peak of the local rail-and-iron economy before 20th-century consolidations altered the industrial footprint.