1959 Map of Scranton

About this map

The Scranton and Wilkes-Barre industrial corridor anchors this mid-century topographic perspective, revealing the dense settlement patterns of the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valleys. Coal-era rail infrastructure remains prominent, with the Delaware Lackawanna and Western RR and Erie Railroad threading through the Moosic Mountains. To the east, the map captures a landscape of massive reservoirs serving the New York metropolitan area, including the Ashokan Reservoir and Neversink Reservoir, highlighting the era's significant hydraulic engineering. From the peaks of the Catskill Mountains to the recreational expanse of Lake Wallenpaupack, the sheet documents the transition from urban centers to the protected wildlands of Harriman State Park and Catskill Park. This survey reflects a pivotal moment just as the New York State Thruway and Garden State Parkway began to redefine regional travel.