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1950 Map of Shenandoah

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Shenandoah
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

Shenandoah and Mahanoy City anchor this mid-century look at the Pennsylvania coal region, where the industrial landscape of the Mahanoy Valley is etched into the terrain. The map reveals the intricate infrastructure required for anthracite mining, featuring the Mahanoy Plane and an extensive network of Reading and Pennsylvania railroad lines. Settlement patterns are densely packed into the valleys and along the base of Locust Mountain and Bear Ridge, with neighborhoods like West William Penn, West Mahanoy, and Yatesville serving as hubs for local labor.

Beyond the urban centers, the map documents significant local landmarks and community sites. The curious label The Peddlars Grave sits in the highlands near Brandonville, while numerous religious and burial sites like the Old White Ch and St Joseph Cem dot the landscape. A complex system of water management is visible through the Kehly Run Reservoirs and Raven Run Reservoirs, essential for both the mining operations and the growing municipalities of the post-war era.