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2016 Map of Wilkes-Barre West

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Wilkes-Barre West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

The Wyoming Valley defines the northern reaches of this map, where the Susquehanna River curves past the urban centers of Wilkes-Barre, Plymouth, and Nanticoke. This densely developed corridor contrasts sharply with the ridgelines to the south, where Wilkes-Barre Mtn and Penobscot Mtn form a natural barrier broken only by features like Solomon Gap and Sugar Notch. The settlement pattern follows this geography, with traditional neighborhoods like Lee Park, Buttonwood, and Hanover Green concentrated near the river, while newer developments like Fairview Heights and Mountain Top sit atop the plateau.

Genealogists will find a high concentration of burial sites, including Saint Peter and Paul Cem, Shawnee Cem, and Oak Lawn Cem. The southern half of the quadrangle is notably more rural and water-rich, featuring a series of wetlands and small lakes such as Lake Blytheburn, Nuangola Lake, and the sprawling Beaver Dam Swamp. Significant transport routes, including the Sans Souci Pkwy, link these diverse landscapes, tracing the region's movement from an industrial river valley to upland residential and recreational areas.