1947 Map of Valley View

About this map

Valleys of the Pennsylvania anthracite region are defined here by the parallel ridges of Little Mahanoy Mountain, Mahantango Mountain, and Bear Mountain. The settlement pattern follows the fertile lowlands, where towns like Valley View and Hegins serve as central hubs for the surrounding agricultural and mining communities. A remarkable density of local institutions is evident, including the Heplers Summer School (Open Air) and multiple denominational anchors such as the Evang Lutheran Church and St Pauls Union Church. These landmarks, along with the numerous small cemeteries and secondary schools like the Pitman School, provide a detailed genealogical record of the mid-20th-century inhabitants of this corner of Schuylkill County. The drainage of the Little Mahantango Creek and Deep Creek further illustrates the complex local hydrology that dictated road placement and farm boundaries during this era.