1960 Map of Palmerton

About this map

Palmerton dominates the river landscape where the Lehigh River cuts through the formidable barrier of Blue Mountain at Lehigh Gap. This 1960s-era geography shows a dense industrial and residential corridor defined by the Conrail line and the historic Lehigh Canal. While the borough of Palmerton is the primary urban center, the surrounding rural townships of Towamensing and Lower Towamensing are dotted with smaller settlements like Aquashicola and Little Gap. The map captures a moment when mid-century leisure features, such as the Drive-in Theater near Berlinsville and the Slatington Airport, shared the land with traditional extractive industries, evidenced by numerous Quarries and Gravel Pits. Outdoor recreation is well-established, with the Appalachian Trail following the ridge lines and the northern boundary touching Beltzville State Park along Pohopoco Creek.