Local Maps: Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Collection

Identifier: SC MS0394

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

15 topographic maps of New Jersey and 30 topographic maps (some duplicates) of Pennsylvania and New York, one map of Allentown and Suburbs 1934 and one photocopy of map title, one map of Bethlehem and Vicinity 1929 and one photocopy of map title, one urban atlas of Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pennsylvania 1974, one urban atlas of Chicago, Illinois 1974, three photocopies from National Archives.

Dates

Creation: 1907 - 1974
Creation: Majority of material found within 1941 - 1974

Conditions Governing Access

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research. Please inquire about copyright information.

Biographical / Historical

United States Geological Survey was established by the U. S. Congress in 1879 originally dedicated to exploring the geology and mineral potential of the western lands. Before the start of the USGS most mapping in the United States was done by military expeditions and independent government surveys. The USGS established a more comprehensive approach to surveying and worked to classify public lands by examining their geological structure, mineral resources and products. In 1884 the USGS began its topographical map program. It is the nation’s largest civilian mapping agency. Topographic maps are a signature product of the USGS. They were essential for integrating and analyzing place-based information. They organize, maintain and publish the geospatial baseline of the Nation’s topography, natural landscape and built environment. The maps are general-use maps at medium scales that present elevation (contour-lines), hydrography, geography, geographic place names and a variety of cultural features. In both World War I and World War II the USGS created topographic maps of strategic areas in accordance with military priorities. In 1940 the State Department allocated funds to the USGS to investigate and identify mineral deposits of potential importance in hemisphere trade. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, their entire effort bent to the war effort - focused toward mineral assessments and data to solve industrial and transportation problems. Geologic quadrangle maps show detailed geologic maps depicting areas of special importance to the solution of geologic problems portraying bedrock or surficial units or both.

Extent

47 Files (45 maps (assorted sizes), 2 oversize atlases )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Group of topographic maps of region of Pennsylvania and New Jersey divided by the Delaware River made by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1907 to 1946. Also includes two Urban Atlases: Allentown - Bethlehem - Easton, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois. Formerly these items belonged to Lehigh University’s Geology Department or the History Department.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically and by format: New Jersey and Pennsylvania primarily with Chicago as an oddity.

Other Finding Aids

Lehigh University Special Collections has a large collection of historical maps of all sizes and ages. Newer editions of these USGS maps are available On Line.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Lehigh University’s Cataloging Department sent these duplicate maps to Special Collections August 8, 2018 with note that the maps are from Government Documents weeding in 2017 and are to be kept with Local Maps in 441 case. The History Department chairman, Professor Roger Simon, sent the atlases to Special Collections upon his retirement from the department and some of the maps are from the Geology Department. Girard Estate map donated by Penn State Library map librarian Heather Ross.

Related Materials

1998. Underwood, James R. Jr., et al. “Military Geology in War and Peace.” Geological Society of America. 1937. Bowie, William. Scrapbooks, 3 volumes 1891-1937.

Materials Specific Details

Place Names: Allentown, Pennsylvania Asbury Park, New Jersey Atlantic County, New Jersey Atlantic Ocean - coastline New Jersey Auburn, Pennsylvania Barnegat Bay, New Jersey Beach Haven, New Jersey Berry Mountain, Pennsylvania Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania Bordentown, New Jersey Brigantine, New Jersey Broad Mountain, Pennsylvania Brown Mills, New Jersey Buffalo Mountain, Pennsylvania Burlington, New Jersey Chicago, Illinois Cinnaminson, New Jersey Delaware River Deptford, New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey Fort Monmouth, New Jersey Great Bay, New Jersey Hog Island, New Jersey Inland Water Way Juniata River, Pennsylvania Lebanon State Forest, New Jersey Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey Litle Wilkes-Barre Mountain, Pennsylvania Mahanoy Creek, Pennsylvania Manahawkin, New Jersey Manasquan River, New Jersey Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania Media, Pennsylvania Millersville, Pennsylvania Minersville, Pennsylvania Mullic River, New Jersey Nanticoke, Pennsylvania Navesink River, New Jersey Ocean County, New Jersey Pennington, New Jersey Penobscot Mountain, Pennsylvania Pine Grove, Pennsylvania Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania Port Jervis North, New York Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania Ramey, Pennsylvania Raritan, New Jersey Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey Sassamansville, Pennsylvania Schuylkill River, Pennsylvania Seaside Heights, New Jersey Second Mountain, Pennsylvania Shade Mountain, Pennsylvania Sharp Mountain, Pennsylvania Shickshinny Mountain, Pennsylvania Shipbottom, New Jersey Skytop, Pennsylvania Stockton, New Jersey Susquehanna River Swatara Hill, Pennsylvania Toms River, New Jersey Tremont, Pennsylvania Tuscarora Mountain, Pennsylvania Wading River, New Jersey Washington Crossing