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1956 Map of Reading

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Reading
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Schuylkill River carves a sharp path through this mid-century industrial and residential landscape, separating the dense grid of Reading from the burgeoning boroughs of West Reading and Wyomissing. In this post-war period, the expansion of the suburbs is evident in the purple-shaded growth areas surrounding Shillington and Kenhorst. The map details a complex educational and social infrastructure, featuring numerous neighborhood institutions like the Chas S Foos Sch, Northeast Jr High Sch, and the Reading Museum.

Industry and transport legacies are preserved through the extensive Penn Central rail lines and landmarks like Van Reeds Mill on Tulpehocken Creek. The topography is dominated by the steep rises of Mount Penn and Neversink Mountain, which hem in the city's eastern edge. Significant local history is captured in the placement of the Charles Evans Cemetery and the Reading Hospital complex, alongside the rural character of Sheerlund Forests and Angelica Creek to the south.