1905 Map of Passaic

About this map

The Passaic River and the complex tidal waterways of Newark Bay anchor this detailed study of the industrial heart of the New York and New Jersey metropolitan region. This era reveals a landscape defined by an incredibly dense network of competing rail lines, including the Erie R.R. and the Lehigh Valley R.R., which facilitated the rapid growth of settlements from Montclair to Elizabeth. The maritime importance of the harbor is highlighted by essential navigational aids such as the Robbins Reef Light and the Passaic Light, while the military defenses of The Narrows are clearly marked by Fort Wadsworth, Fort Tompkins, and Fort Hamilton. Beyond the urban core, the map captures the varied terrain of the Watchung Mountains and the distinctive wetlands of the Great Swamp, showing the contrast between the burgeoning suburban developments in places like Maplewood and the more open terrain of Morris County and the Pequannock Mountains.