1969 Map of Tower City

About this map

The northern anthracite coal region defines the industrial character of this landscape, where the coal-rich mountains of Schuylkill and Dauphin counties converge. The settlements of Tower City and Williamstown follow the valley floor, while the surrounding slopes of Bear Mountain and Big Lick Mountain are marked by the extensive footprint of the extractive industry. Distinctive mining features, such as a large Mines Dump near Sheridan, underscore the area's economic foundations. To the south, the terrain shifts into protected wilderness, including large tracts of State Game Lands No 211 and State Forest. This transition from the industrial Wiconisco Creek valley to the ridge-top path of the Appalachian Trail highlights the complex land use of the era, balancing intensive resource extraction with burgeoning recreational spaces like Twin Grove Park.