New Topographical Atlas of the State of Pennsylvania with Descriptions Historical, Scientific and Statistical. Together with a Map of the United States and Territories

A detailed scientific analysis of Pennsylvania published after the Civil War.

This uncommon atlas of Pennsylvania captures the state at a pivotal period of industrial growth during the Reconstruction Era. An expansive introduction offers a summary of the Keystone state’s topography, history, geology, climate, zoology, and botany. Thematic maps generally accompany each text description, plus a few others focused on natural resources and railroads.

Political maps of the United States and Pennsylvania are accompanied by larger-scale plans of each county. These show the local transportation network and label towns, post offices, major geographic features, and prominent local industries (notably, collieries, mines, derricks, etc.). Topography is depicted with finely engraved hachures, offering an attractive, almost tactile, overview of the landscape, which is punctuated by a growing network of railroads. City maps are also provided, including a detailed double-page map of Philadelphia. The final pages provide a comprehensive index of all place names and a ‘Classified Directory of the Principal Business Firms and Professional Men of Philadelphia.’

The work was compiled by Professor Henry Walling and civil engineer O.W. Gray. Walling, of Lafayette College, was a pioneer in thematic mapping, while Gray was a skilled topographic engineer known for his meticulous detail who would eventually start his own mapmaking firm. Published in Philadelphia by Stedman, Brown, & Lyon in 1872.