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1947 Map of Wilkes-Barre West

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of Wilkes-Barre West
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding anthracite coal country are shown here in a detailed postwar portrait, shortly before major industrial transitions. The landscape is defined by the Susquehanna River valley, where settlements like Plymouth and Larksville crowd the northern bank while the city center sits protected by a levee. To the south, the terrain rises sharply into Wilkes-Barre Mountain and Penobscot Mountain, where the geography shifts from dense urban grids to isolated reservoirs and ponds.

Transportation networks of Conrail weave through the valley, connecting numerous small company towns and hamlets such as Warrior Run and Sugar Notch. Genealogists will find significant detail in the many named locations like Korn Krest, Askam, and several family-named landmarks such as Bliem Corners and Vandermark Corners. The presence of several Mine Dump labels underscores the area's deep-rooted mining heritage, while recreation areas like Nuangola Lake provide a counterpoint to the industrial valley floor.