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1956 Map of Reading

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Reading
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Schuylkill River carves a winding path through this industrial and educational hub, separating the urban core of Reading from the western boroughs of West Reading and Wyomissing. In this post-war landscape, the transition from heavy industry to suburban expansion is visible in the purple-tinted growth areas surrounding established landmarks like Albright College and the Charles Evans Cemetery. The terrain is defined by dramatic elevations such as Neversink Mountain and Gibraltar Hill, which hem in the river valley and shaped the dense settlement patterns of the era.

Key cultural and historical markers are scattered across the quadrangle, from the iconic Pagoda overlooking the city to the Hessian Camp on the slopes of Penn Mountain. Local infrastructure is anchored by the Conrail rail lines and significant institutions including the Reading Hospital and Governor Mifflin High Sch. Smaller communities like Mohnton, Shillington, and Mount Penn show their own distinct identities, connected by a network of creeks like Wyomissing Creek and Tulpehocken Creek, where older sites such as Van Reeds Mill stand as reminders of the region's earlier industrial roots.