1905 Map of Plainfield

About this map

Great Swamp and the Passaic River dominate the northern landscape of this region, which was captured during a period of significant suburban and industrial expansion at the turn of the century. The map reveals an intricate network of competing rail lines, including the Delaware Lackawanna & Western RR and the Lehigh Valley RR, which facilitated the growth of towns like Summit and Cranford. Notable landmarks like Washington Rock overlook the developing corridor, while the southern reaches show the industrial character of the Arthur Kill and the Perth Amboy Branch. Genealogists will find interest in the transition of older settlements such as Connecticut Farms and New Orange. The presence of several specialized lines, including the Gravel RR and the N.J. Clay and Brick Co. RR, highlights the local extraction and manufacturing economies that thrived alongside the expanding residential commuter hubs.