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1908 Map of New Holland

Name: 1908 Topographic Map of New Holland
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Ephrata and its Waterworks stand at the heart of this early twentieth-century survey, surrounded by the densely settled agricultural landscape of northern Lancaster County. The region’s deep Pennsylvania Dutch roots are reflected in the numerous rural congregations and one-room schoolhouses that dot the townships, from the Middle Creek Church in the west to the Weaverland School near Terre Hill. The terrain is defined by the winding paths of Conestoga Creek and Cocalico Creek, which provided essential water power and drainage for the patchwork of family farms.

Transportation infrastructure was well-developed by this era, featuring a sophisticated network of early turnpikes and rail lines. The Pennsylvania Railroad and the Reading and Columbia Division intersect the valley, connecting borough centers like New Holland and Akron to the wider markets of the eastern seaboard. Notable local landmarks include Mount Rock and the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, which runs through Intercourse and Paradise, serving as vital arteries for a region transitioning into the motor age.