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1947 Map of Tamaqua

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Tamaqua
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1977
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1977

About this map

The Little Schuylkill River and Panther Creek carve through the deep ridgelines of the Southern Anthracite Coal Field, anchoring a landscape defined by industrial extraction and rail infrastructure. Coal mining operations, marked by extensive strip mines and Slum deposits, dominate the terrain between Nesquehoning Mountain and Pisgah Mountain. The tight urban clusters of Tamaqua, Coaldale, and Lansford illustrate the dense settlement patterns of the era, where worker housing was built in the shadow of the mines and the massive Arlington Yards rail facility.

Beyond the industrial core, the landscape transitions to water management and community life. The Still Creek Reservoir and Tamaqua Reservoirs suggest the increasing demand for municipal water as these towns expanded. Educational and social landmarks, including Owl Creek School and the Odd Fellows Cemetery, provide specific touchpoints for genealogical research and local history, while the emergence of a Drive-in Theater near Hometown reflects mid-century cultural shifts.