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1953 Map of Vandergrift

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Vandergrift
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

The Kiskiminetas River carves a sharp oxbow through this landscape, defining the industrial and social heart of Vandergrift and Apollo. Developed as a model industrial town, the area shows a dense concentration of schools and community landmarks like the Custer School and Saint George & Damian Shrine. To the west, the Fort Hand Historical Marker denotes the site of a Revolutionary War-era frontier outpost, grounding the modern steel-country topography in colonial history.

South of the river, the massive Beaver Run Reservoir and its Beaver Run Dam dominate the terrain of Bell township. The landscape is a complex mix of mid-century infrastructure and heavy industry, featuring extensive Strip Mines, several Mine Dumps, and the Penn Central rail lines. The presence of the Leechburg Airport and an Automobile Racetrack in the north reflect the region's mid-century expansion.