1944 Map of Orwigsburg

About this map

Sharp Mountain and Second Mountain dominate the topography of this central Pennsylvania landscape, where the ridges of the Appalachians dictated the early paths of industry and transit. In the northern reaches, the Reading railroad corridor follows the narrow valley of the Schuylkill River, connecting coal-region settlements like Middleport and New Philadelphia Silver Creek P O. South of the mountain barriers, the terrain opens into the agricultural reaches of West Brunswick and East Brunswick. Here, the community of Orwigsburg serves as a primary hub, surrounded by a network of rural institutions including Bethel Ch, Zion Ch, and several local schoolhouses such as Pinedale Sch and Stevens Sch. The presence of a Landing Field near the southern border reflects the mid-century modernization of transportation alongside the older river and rail networks.