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1894 Map of Wilkes-Barre

Name: 1894 Topographic Map of Wilkes-Barre
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1941
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1941

About this map

Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding coal-rich valley of the Susquehanna River anchor this late 19th-century landscape, defined by a dense industrial and rail network. The map reveals the intricate transition from the urban grid of the river towns to the ridgelines of Wilkes-Barre Mountain and Wyoming Mountain. These heights are breached by numerous rail lines including the C. R. R. of N. J. and the Lehigh Valley R. R., which connect the river settlements to upland outposts like Mountaintop and Glen Summit.

To the south, the terrain descends toward the Lehigh Tannery and White Haven, following the path of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Division. The map documents early industrial patches and neighborhood names such as Moffatt Patch, Sugar Notch, and Askam, providing a clear view of the region's development before modern expansion. The presence of the Plymouth Ferry and various mountain gaps like Weller Gap highlights the essential transit points through this complex topography.