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1976 Map of Tamaqua

Name: 1976 Topographic Map of Tamaqua
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Tamaqua and the surrounding anthracite coal region are captured here during the mid-1970s, showcasing a landscape defined by industrial extraction and ridge-and-valley topography. The settlements of Goaldale, Lansford, and Summit Hill are tightly clustered along the base of Nesquehoning Mountain, revealing the dense residential patterns typical of Pennsylvania's mining towns. Between these communities and Pisgah Mountain, the earth shows the extensive footprint of surface mining operations that long drove the local economy.

Water management and natural drainage are evident via the Little Schuylkill River as it cuts through the gap between Locust Mountain and Sharp Mountain. To the north, the Still Creek Reservoir sits atop Broad Mountain, providing a stark contrast to the worked lands below. This orthophoto provides a literal view of the intersection between human industry and the formidable geological barriers of the Mauch Chunk Ridge.