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1893 Map of Lykens

Name: 1893 Topographic Map of Lykens
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1932
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1932

About this map

The anthracite coal region of central Pennsylvania is defined here by the sharp, parallel ridges of the Appalachian Mountains, where industrial activity follows the narrow valley floors. Coal or Thick Mountain and Big Mountain dominate the central landscape, housing the productive seams that fueled the growth of towns like Lykens, Wiconisco, and Williamstown. The mapping captures a dense network of early transportation, including the Summit Branch Railroad and several branches of the P. and R. Railroad, which were vital for moving coal from the collieries to market.

Further north, the character of the land shifts toward the agricultural valleys of Jordan and Upper Mahantango, punctuated by small settlements such as Klingerstown and the uniquely named Rough and Ready. The survey reveals how topography dictated settlement patterns, with communities like Tower City and Reinerton clustered tightly along the southern base of Bear Mountain. From the headwaters of Rausch Creek to the banks of Mahanoy Creek, the map provides a clear picture of nineteenth-century Pennsylvania's industrial and rural geography.