1944 Map of Orwigsburg

About this map

The ridge-and-valley topography of Schuylkill County is clearly defined here by the parallel rises of Sharp Mountain and Second Mountain, which separate the coal-mining regions to the north from the agricultural valleys to the south. In the northern reaches, extensive strip mines surround settlements like Middleport and New Philadelphia, where the Schuylkill River begins its descent through the gap. This industrial landscape contrasts sharply with the southern township of West Brunswick, centered on the borough of Orwigsburg. Here, the land is dotted with local landmarks like the Drive-in Theater and Bethel Ch, alongside small rural schools such as Pinedale Sch. The eastern edge of the map follows the Little Schuylkill River through Drehersville, tracing the path of the Reading railroad as it skirts the base of North Mountain.