1953 Map of New Kensington East

About this map

Industrial and suburban expansion along the Allegheny River defines the landscape during the early 1950s, particularly within the heavy manufacturing corridor of Natrona, Brackenridge, and Tarentum. Above the river, the planned growth of Natrona Heights contrasts with the undulating rural hills of Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell. The cultural life of these communities is evident in the dense clustering of religious and educational institutions, such as St Ladislaus Ch, Blessed Sacrament Sch, and Har Brack High Sch. Away from the urban riverfront, the map captures a shift toward recreational and extraction-based land use. Small-scale coal operations, indicated by a Strip Mine and various Mine Dump sites, share the countryside with leisure spots like Rabbit Foot Lake, a local Golf Course, and Camp Jo-Ann.