1954 Map of Wawayanda

About this map

Wawayanda Mountain and the high ridges of the New Jersey-New York borderlands define this mid-century topographic survey. The landscape is characterized by a high density of recreation-oriented water bodies, including Highland Lakes, Upper Greenwood Lake, and Lake Wanda. Significant transportation infrastructure from the early 1950s is present, such as the winding route of the Appalachian Trail across the peaks and the Lehigh and Hudson River railroad tracking through Vernon Valley. Small settlements and rural waypoints like Maple Grange, Prices Switch, and DeKays are documented alongside local institutions like District School No 8. Of particular interest to cultural historians is the mid-century inclusion of a Drive-in Theater near the northern boundary, reflecting the era's evolving leisure habits in the rural outskirts of the Highlands.