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1938 Map of Paterson

Name: 1938 Topographic Map of Paterson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1938
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1938

About this map

Paterson and its surrounding industrial and suburban landscape are captured here just before the 1940s, a period of significant growth and early aviation. The city's dense urban grid, centered on City Hall and the Post Office, transitions into the specialized campuses and institutions that defined the regional economy, such as the Aeronautical Plant and the State Teachers College. The Passaic River serves as the dominant geographic feature, winding through the industrial core and past substantial green spaces like Eastside Park and West Side Park.

Beyond the city center, the terrain rises into the Watchung Mountains, where the landscape becomes more varied. To the west and north, established communities like North Haledon and Preakness are clearly marked alongside landmarks of the era, including the Murchio Airport and the North Jersey Country Club. Genealogists will find several major burial grounds, including Calvary Cem and Fairlawn Cem, providing critical records for local family history research during this pre-war era.