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1955 Map of Paterson

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Paterson
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

The Passaic River anchors this mid-century look at industrial and residential expansion in North Jersey, winding through the heart of Paterson and Fair Lawn. The landscape is defined by the contrast between the dense urban grid of the valley and the steep, wooded slopes of Preakness Mountain and the Watchung Mountains. This era shows a community in transition, with established institutions like the North Jersey Training School and the North Jersey Country Club nestled against rising suburban developments.

Industrial corridors are clearly marked by the tracks of the Erie RR and Conrail, which supported the manufacturing base of towns like Hawthorne, Haledon, and Clifton. The map is particularly valuable for genealogists, detailing dozens of local landmarks including the sprawling Cedar Lawn Cemetery and Laurel Grove Cemetery. From the quiet waters of Barbour Pond to the civic center at City Hall, the document preserves the spatial layout of Passaic County at the height of its post-war growth.