2016 Map of Windber

About this map

The borough of Windber and the surrounding Somerset County coal country are presented here in high detail, illustrating a landscape defined by industrial history and deep-cut creek valleys. To the north, the clustered settlements of Scalp Level and Paint sit near the confluence of Paint Creek, while the southern reaches of the quadrangle transition into the more rural, high-elevation terrain of the Allegheny Front. The industrial heritage of the region is anchored by the site of the Old Shade Furnace along Shade Creek, a remnant of the early iron industry that preceded the coal boom. To the east, the Windber Reservoir and the drainage of Clear Shade Creek dominate a more forested landscape, punctuated by landmarks like Brier Knob and the small communities of Ashtola and Cairnbrook. This geography reflects a complex network of company-town settlements and the infrastructure required to manage the water and minerals of the Paint and Shade creek watersheds.