1959 Map of Scranton

About this map

The Pocono Mountains and Catskill Mountains dominate this mid-century topographic perspective of the tri-state intersection between Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Industry and transit are clearly defined by the heavy presence of the Erie Railroad and Delaware Lackawanna and Western RR, which connect the anthracite coal regions around Scranton and Wilkes-Barre to the larger markets of the east. This 1959 edition captures the landscape before the full maturation of the Interstate Highway System, showing the New York State Thruway in its earlier configuration alongside established routes like U S 6 and U S 209. Large-scale water management projects are a striking feature, with the Pepacton Reservoir, Ashokan Reservoir, and Lake Wallenpaupack serving as massive landmarks within the Delaware and Hudson river basins.