1976 Map of Nanticoke

About this map

The Susquehanna River cuts a prominent diagonal across this mid-1970s orthophotoquad, defining the industrial and geographic character of Luzerne County. This aerial perspective, prepared by the Geological Survey in cooperation with the Soil Conservation Service, reveals the intensive land use surrounding Nanticoke and Glen Lyon. The imagery captures the heavy scarring and terracing of anthracite coal mining operations that dominate the landscape between the river and the ridgeline of Penobscot Mountain. Smaller rural clusters like Hunlock and Slocum Corners provide a sharp contrast to the dense urban grids and industrial disturbances. The photograph, taken in October 1976, provides a stark record of the region's topography before modern reclamation efforts altered the visible footprints of the valley's mining legacy.