1944 Map of Pottsville

About this map

Pottsville and the surrounding anthracite coal country are shown in detail during the mid-1940s, a period when the region's industrial infrastructure remained deeply etched into the landscape. The Schuylkill River and its tributaries, including Wolf Creek and Mill Creek, dictate the placement of dense valley settlements like Port Carbon, Palo Alto, and St Clair. The map captures the complex interaction between geology and industry, evidenced by the East Mines north of the city and the intricate network of Reading, Pennsylvania, and Lehigh railroad lines that facilitated the movement of coal. Shaded relief emphasizes the prominent ridges of Sharp Mountain and Second Mountain, which flank the developed corridors. This survey provides a look at local water management through features like Indian Run Reservoir and Silver Creek Res, alongside smaller company towns such as Coal Castle and Arnotts Addition.