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1905 Map of Plainfield

Name: 1905 Topographic Map of Plainfield
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1905
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1905

About this map

The Great Swamp and the curving Passaic River dominate the northwestern landscape of this turn-of-the-century New Jersey corridor. The map captures an era of rapid suburbanization and industrial growth, where established villages like New Providence and Springfield are being connected by an intricate web of rail lines. Major transit corridors including the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad and the Lehigh Valley Railroad cut across the plain, driving development in places like Murray Hill and Baltusrol.

Southward, the Raritan River and Raritan Canal serve as vital industrial arteries near Perth Amboy. The map documents numerous small settlements and localized landmarks such as Washington Rock and St. Stephens church, providing a detailed view of the region's topography before the mid-century expansion of the metropolitan area. From the heights of Short Hills to the marshes of Dismal Swamp, the geography reflects a complex mix of agricultural land, growing townships, and early industrial infrastructure.