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1955 Map of Safe Harbor

Name: 1955 Topographic Map of Safe Harbor
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The Safe Harbor Dam and its adjacent powerhouse dominate this stretch of the Susquehanna River, where the massive impoundment of Lake Clarke meets the Holtwood Reservoir. Along the eastern banks in Manor township, the landscape is dotted with small agricultural settlements like Creswell, Letort, and Central Manor. The presence of the Manor Meetinghouse and several country churches, including Stehman Ch and Bethany Ch, highlights the deep-rooted community life of this rural Lancaster County region during the mid-20th century.

Across the river in Chanceford and Lower Chanceford, the terrain is carved by numerous tributaries such as Otter Creek and Fishing Creek. The map documents a network of local institutions essential to rural life, from the Chanceford Tabernacle to several family-named schools like the Hake Sch and Shaws Sch. The Penn Central railroad line tracks the river's edge, serving the industrial operations at Safe Harbor and the surrounding river-and-rail economy.