1898 Map of Plainfield

About this map

Great Swamp and the ridges of First Mountain and Second Mountain dominate the topography of this late 19th-century landscape, revealing a region transitioning from agrarian roots to a dense suburban and industrial corridor. The map highlights the early development of established communities like Chatham, Summit, and Millburn, while also documenting smaller locales such as Feltville and Locust Grove. The intricate network of the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Morris and Essex Division of the DL&W illustrates how rail connectivity began to shape the residential patterns of Union and Essex counties. From the marshy reaches of Dismal Swamp to the upland slopes of Baltusrol, the survey records the local stream systems, including Ambrose Brook and the Rahway River, before the expansive suburban infill of the 20th century altered the drainage and property lines of these historic townships.