Carbon County GIS

03/02/2026

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Map of Texas (With parts of the Adjoining States) ~ 1837

Texas Declares Independence

March 2, 1836 — Washington-on-the-Brazos

During the Texas Revolution, a convention of American settlers gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos and formally declared Texas’ independence from Mexico. The delegates selected David G. Burnet as provisional president and confirmed Sam Houston as commander in chief of all Texan forces. They also adopted a constitution that protected the free practice of slavery, which had been prohibited under Mexican law.

At the same time in San Antonio, Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna continued his siege of the Alamo, where roughly 185 American defenders awaited the final Mexican assault.

Early Settlement and Rising Tensions

In 1820, Moses Austin, a U.S. citizen, sought permission from the Spanish government in Mexico to settle Americans in sparsely populated Texas. Land was granted, but Austin died soon afterward. His son, Stephen F. Austin, carried on the effort.

In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain. Stephen F. Austin negotiated a contract with the new Mexican government allowing him to lead approximately 300 families to the Brazos River region.

Under the agreement, settlers were to be Catholics, but Austin primarily brought Protestant families from the southern United States. Additional American settlers followed, and soon they outnumbered the resident Mexican population.

In 1826, tensions led to the Fredonian Rebellion. In 1830, Mexico enacted measures to curb further American immigration. In 1833, after calling on settlers to declare Texas a separate state within the Mexican federation without congressional approval, Austin was arrested and imprisoned. He was released in 1835.

Revolution Begins

In 1834, Santa Anna rose to power as dictator of Mexico and moved to suppress rebellions in Texas and elsewhere.

In October 1835, Anglo residents of Gonzales refused Santa Anna’s demand to return a cannon that had been loaned for defense against Native American attacks. Instead, they fired it at the Mexican troops sent to retrieve it. The Mexicans were routed in what is considered the first battle of the Texas Revolution.

The settlers established a provisional government, and a Texan army under Sam Houston won several minor engagements in late 1835.

The Alamo

In December 1835, Texas volunteers led by Ben Milam drove Mexican troops from San Antonio and occupied the Alamo, a former mission adapted for military use.

In January 1836, Santa Anna assembled several thousand troops south of the Rio Grande. Houston ordered the Alamo abandoned. However, Colonel James Bowie, who had arrived at the fort on January 19, realized that the captured cannons could not be removed before Santa Anna’s arrival. He remained entrenched, reasoning that delaying Santa Anna would buy Houston time to raise a larger army.

On February 2, Bowie and his men were joined by a small cavalry company under Colonel William B. Travis, bringing the total defenders to about 140. One week later, frontiersman Davy Crockett arrived with 14 Tennessee Mounted Volunteers.

On February 23, Santa Anna and roughly 3,000 Mexican troops began their siege of the Alamo. For 12 days, the former mission endured heavy bombardment. On February 24, Colonel Travis sent out his famous letter declaring:
“I shall never surrender or retreat…. Victory or Death!”

On March 1, reinforcements from Gonzales broke through enemy lines, raising the number of defenders to approximately 185.

On March 2, 1836, Texas formally declared independence.

Fall of the Alamo and Aftermath

In the early morning hours of March 6, Santa Anna ordered the assault. Travis’ artillery repelled the first and second Mexican charges, but within just over an hour the defenders were overwhelmed. Santa Anna had ordered no prisoners taken. All Texan and American defenders were killed in close combat. Only a small number of civilians — primarily women and children — survived. Several hundred Mexican soldiers died during the siege and final attack.

Six weeks later, at the Battle of Battle of San Jacinto, Sam Houston’s army surprised Santa Anna’s forces. Shouting “Remember the Alamo!” the Texans secured a decisive victory and captured Santa Anna. He was compelled to recognize Texas’ independence and withdraw his forces south of the Rio Grande.

Texas sought annexation by the United States, but both Mexico and antislavery forces in the U.S. opposed admission. For nearly a decade, Texas remained an independent republic, with Houston serving as its first elected president.

In 1845, Texas entered the Union as the 28th state, a move that soon led to the Mexican-American War.

02/23/2026

Passing along some helpful information.

**Update: Declaration Lifted as of 2/34 9:00 am

*SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARATION*

Mayor Ryan Saunders has declared a snow emergency for the Borough of Lehighton from 6:00 PM this evening until 6:00 PM tomorrow evening. 

Parking along a snow emergency route is prohibited to allow Borough crews to remove snow in a safe, time-effective manner.

The Police Department will be patrolling the posted snow emergency routes (sea map below).

In addition to the snow emergency routes, some parts of 1st Street, 2nd Street, and 3rd Street have been posted as no-parking for snow removal on Monday and Tuesday morning.

Please ensure that vehicles have been removed from any snow emergency routes on the attached map, as well as from any posted streets.

Any updates to snow removal and the snow emergency declaration will be posted to our page.

The Mayor and Borough staff thank you in advance for your cooperation while we continue to navigate winter weather.

02/23/2026

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - G-2 Beach Map A - Prepared by AC of S,G-2 Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Iwo Jima) ~ 28 Oct, 1944

February 23, 1945

During the brutal Battle of Iwo Jima, U.S. Marines from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division fought their way to the summit of Mount Suribachi—the island’s highest and most strategic point. Once there, they raised the American flag. Marine photographer Louis Lowery was present and captured the moment. Below, Marines still battling up the volcanic slopes cheered at the sight of Old Glory flying overhead.

Several hours later, a second group of Marines climbed Suribachi carrying a larger flag to replace the first. Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal encountered them on the way up and photographed the second flag raising, alongside a Marine still photographer and a motion-picture cameraman.

Rosenthal took three photographs atop Suribachi. The first—showing six Marines straining together to raise the heavy flagpole—became one of the most iconic images in American history and earned him the Pulitzer Prize. Motion-picture footage taken at the same time confirms the image was not staged. The second photo was similar but less powerful, and the third captured 18 Marines smiling and waving at the camera. Tragically, many of the men in those images—including three of the six Marines seen raising the flag—were killed before the battle ended in late March.

Earlier that year, U.S. military planners targeted Iwo Jima as a critical objective ahead of the planned aerial campaign against the Japanese home islands. Located roughly 700 miles southeast of Japan, the small volcanic island was strategically vital as a fighter base and emergency landing site for American bombers.

On February 19, 1945, following three days of intense naval and aerial bombardment, U.S. Marines landed on Iwo Jima’s harsh, ash-covered beaches. They were met by a Japanese garrison of approximately 22,000 well-fortified troops under the command of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. Anticipating invasion for months, Kuribayashi had constructed an elaborate network of underground tunnels, bunkers, and artillery positions designed to withstand bombardment and inflict maximum casualties.

By nightfall on the first day, despite relentless mortar and artillery fire, 30,000 Marines under General Holland Smith had secured a tenuous but firm beachhead.

Over the next several days, the fighting was savage and methodical. Marines advanced yard by yard under constant artillery fire and deadly counterattacks. Many Japanese defenders remained hidden underground, emerging only to fire artillery or launch sudden assaults before being eliminated by grenades, rockets, or flamethrowers. Offshore, Japanese kamikaze pilots attacked the Allied fleet as the battle raged on land.

On February 23, Marines captured the 550-foot summit of Mount Suribachi. By the following day, its slopes were secured. The struggle continued across the island until March 3, when U.S. forces controlled all three airfields. Finally, on March 26, organized Japanese resistance ended.

Of the 22,000 Japanese defenders, only about 200 were taken prisoner. More than 6,000 Americans lost their lives in the battle, and approximately 17,000 were wounded.

Iwo Jima would become one of the fiercest and most costly battles of the Pacific War—and the image of the flag rising over Mount Suribachi would stand forever as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resolve.

02/10/2026

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - The Seven Year's War: The First Global War (c) History Mapped Out

The Seven Years’ War, a global conflict known in America as the French and Indian War, ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by France, Great Britain and Spain.

In the early 1750s, France’s expansion into the Ohio River valley repeatedly brought the country into armed conflict with the British colonies. In 1756, the British formally declared war against France.

In the first year of the war, the British suffered a series of defeats at the hands of the French and their broad network of Native American alliances. However, in 1757, British Prime Minister William Pitt (the older) recognized the potential of imperial expansion that would come out of victory against the French and borrowed heavily to fund an expanded war effort. Pitt financed Prussia’s struggle against France and her allies in Europe and reimbursed the colonies for the raising of armies in North America. By 1760, the French had been expelled from Canada, and by 1763 all of France’s allies in Europe had either made a separate peace with Prussia or had been defeated. In addition, Spanish attempts to aid France in the Americas had failed, and France also suffered defeats against British forces in India.

The Seven Years’ War ended with the signing of the treaties of Hubertusburg and Paris in February 1763. In the Treaty of Paris, France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain, while Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and various French holdings overseas. The treaty ensured the colonial and maritime supremacy of Britain and strengthened the 13 American colonies by removing their European rivals to the north and the south. Fifteen years later, French bitterness over the loss of most of their colonial empire contributed to their intervention in the American Revolution on the side of the Patriots.

The Seven Years' War, or the French and Indian War, as it’s commonly known in the USA, is the first global war in which the great powers of its time clashed....

12/16/2025

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Mountain Fuji & it's Southern Vicinity

Dec 16, 1707 - Mount Fuji erupts, raining 28 billion cubic feet of ash on fields up to 60 miles away and causing widespread starvation. Fuji remains an active volcano.

For a larger view of this map click below:

https://gis.carboncounty.com/prcs/Initial%20Repository/Mountain%20Fuji%20&%20it's%20Southern%20Vicity.pdf

12/15/2025

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Battlefield Iraq ~ Newsweek 2003

On this day 15 December, 2011 - U.S. declares an end to the War in Iraq.

In a ceremony held in Baghdad on December 15, 2011, the war that began in 2003 with the American-led invasion of Iraq officially comes to an end. But violence continued and in fact worsened over the subsequent years. The withdrawal of American troops had been a priority of President Barack Obama, but by the time he left office the United States would again be conducting military operations in Iraq.

Five days after the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush announced the “War on Terror,” an umbrella term for a series of preemptive military strikes meant to reduce the threat terrorism posed to the American homeland. The first such strike was the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, which began a war that continued for two decades.

Throughout 2002, the Bush Administration argued that Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was allied with terrorists and developing “weapons of mass destruction.” By all accounts, Hussein was responsible for many atrocities, but there was scant evidence that he was developing nuclear or chemical weapons. Behind closed doors, intelligence officials warned the case for war was based on conjecture—a British inquiry later revealed that one report’s description of Iraqi chemical weapons had actually come from the Michael Bay-directed action movie The Rock. The governments of the U.S. and the U.K., however, were resolute in their public assertions that Hussein posed a threat to their homelands, and went ahead with the invasion.

The invasion was an immediate success insofar as the coalition had toppled Hussein’s government and occupied most of Iraq by mid-April. What followed, however, was eight years of insurgency and sectarian violence. American expectations that Iraqis would “greet them as liberators” and quickly form a stable, pluralistic democracy proved wildly unrealistic. Though the coalition did install a new government, which took office in 2006, it never came close to pacifying the country. Guerilla attacks, su***de bombings and improvised explosive devices continued to take the lives of soldiers and civilians, and militias on both sides of the Sunni-Shia divide carried out ethnic cleansings.

The American public remained skeptical of the war, and many were horrified at reports of atrocities carried out by the military and CIA. Leaked photos proved that Americans had committed human rights abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison, and in 2007 American military contractors killed 17 civilians in Baghdad’s Nisour Square. Opposition to the war became an important talking point in Obama’s bid for the presidency.

On New Year’s Day 2009, shortly before Obama took office, the U.S. handed control of the Green Zone—the Baghdad district that served as coalition headquarters—to the Iraqi government. Congress formally ended its authorization for the war in November, and the last combat troops left the following month. Even by the lowest estimates, the Iraq War claimed over 100,000 lives; other estimates suggest that the number is several times greater, with over 205,000 civilian deaths alone.

Over the next three years, ongoing sectarian violence blossomed into a full-out civil war. Many of the militias formed during the Iraq War merged or partnered with extremist groups in neighboring Syria, itself experiencing a bloody civil war. By 2014 the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which absorbed many of these groups, controlled much of Syria and Iraq. The shocking rise of ISIL led Obama to launch fresh military actions in the region beginning in June of 2014. Though ISIL has now been driven out of Iraq and appears to be very much diminished, a small number of American troops are still stationed in Iraq.

12/05/2025

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Bermuda Triangle Map

December 5, 1945 at 2:10PM - five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedo-bombers comprising Flight 19 take off from the Ft. Lauderdale Naval Air Station in Florida on a routine three-hour training mission. After having completed their objective, Flight 19 was scheduled to take them due east for an additional 67 miles, then turn north for 73 miles, and back to the air station after that, totaling a distance of 120 miles. They never returned.

Two hours after the flight began, the leader of the squadron, who had been flying in the area for more than six months, reported that his compass and backup compass had failed and that his position was unknown. The other planes experienced similar instrument malfunctions. Radio facilities on land were contacted to find the location of the lost squadron, but none were successful. After two more hours of confused messages from the fliers, a distorted radio transmission from the squadron leader was heard at 6:20 p.m., apparently calling for his men to prepare to ditch their aircraft simultaneously because of lack of fuel.

09/29/2025

Looking for some info to add to our internal news magazine. We usually include local events of significance.

Does anyone know if Tresckow, Parryville, Bowmanstown, or East Side Borough have Trick or Treat or a Halloween Parade. If so, what night and time?

Thank you,

Jason

09/23/2025

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Wild Creek Reservoir Site (Plan Showing Properties at ... - 20 Aug 1940 ~ Revised 27 Aug 1942)

Overview

Location & Size: Wild Creek Reservoir is located in Carbon County, PA, in the Pocono Mountains region, in the watershed feeding toward the Lehigh River. It covers about 304-306 acres of water.

Ownership & Use: It is owned and managed by the Bethlehem Authority (originally the Bethlehem Municipal Water Authority). The reservoir is primarily used as a water supply resource for Bethlehem, PA.

History & Development

Planning & Creation: The City of Bethlehem foresaw increasing demand for clean water and, as far back as 1918, began surveying new sources. The Wild Creek watershed in Carbon County was selected as a prime area for a reservoir.

In 1938, the Bethlehem City Council established the Bethlehem Municipal Water Authority (later renamed Bethlehem Authority in 1949), and construction on Wild Creek Reservoir began on December 29, 1938.

Completion: The original Wild Creek project (including its dam, treatment works, tunnels, and transmission mains) was completed in January 1941 at a cost of approximately US$4.1 million of that era.

Expansion (Penn Forest Reservoir): As usage rose (Bethlehem’s water consumption expanding significantly), a second upstream reservoir, Penn Forest, was added in 1958 to capture water that otherwise would flow over the spillway of Wild Creek Reservoir. Together, Wild Creek + Penn Forest give a combined capacity in the order of 10.3 billion gallons of water.

Fire & Re-forestation: In 1963, a wildfire destroyed approximately 2,300 acres in the Wild Creek watershed. A re-forestation project followed, completed around 1968, to restore the forested watershed.

Ecology, Access & Recreation

Land & Public Access: While the water bodies themselves are not open for public recreation (boating, swimming) in most parts, the lands around the reservoirs—over 22,000 acres of woodlands managed by the Bethlehem Authority—are open to the public. Trails are abundant in these areas.

Wildlife & Natural Features: The area is ecologically significant. Some details:

The watershed supports species of concern such as Osprey (Pandion haliaetus).

The forested surroundings contribute to watershed health (filtering, runoff control), especially after the wildfire and reforestation efforts.

Trails & Hiking: The area has trails for hiking and exploring. Some visitors note that the reservoir woods and adjacent areas offer good hiking even when it's not ideal weather.

Fishing: The reservoir is noted in fishing databases. Anglers report activity, though one must check the rules since direct access to the water or use of boats may be limited depending on Authority policies.

Infrastructure & Engineering

The dam (Wild Creek Dam) and associated infrastructure (chemical treatment plant, tunnels, transmission mains) were all part of the original Wild Creek project.

The Penn Forest Reservoir, upstream, captures spillover from Wild Creek, helping to retain water that would be lost and increasing overall water security for Bethlehem.

Significance & Current Context

Water Supply Security: Wild Creek (with Penn Forest) remains a key piece of Bethlehem’s water supply system, buffering demand and giving capacity for growth in consumption over decades.

Conservation & Community Value: Because of its size and largely undeveloped surroundings, it is valuable for ecological conservation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, recreation, and as a natural escape for nearby residents.

Limitations on Use: It’s important to note that despite being large and scenic, the reservoir does not provide typical lake recreation for the public (e.g. swimming, power boating) in many of its water sections—these uses are restricted under the managing authority’s rules.

Full Size -https://gis.carboncounty.com/prcs/Initial%20Repository/Wild%20Creek%20Reservoir%20Site%20(Plan%20Showing%20Properties%20at%20...%20-%2020%20Aug%201940%20~%20Revised%2027%20Aug%201942)%20-%20Greyscale.pdf

09/22/2025

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Jim Thorpe Upper Broadway & West Broadway (Late 1920s)

**Larger Color Version of the Map Link Below**

Basic / Governmental Facts

Jim Thorpe is a borough and is the county seat of Carbon County, in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Carbon County (where Jim Thorpe is located) was established on March 13, 1843 from parts of Northampton and Monroe counties, named for its anthracite coal deposits.

The borough was originally incorporated under the name Mauch Chunk on January 26, 1850.

History & Development

The name Mauch Chunk comes from a Native American (Lenape / Unami) phrase “Mawsch Unk,” which is often translated to “Bear Mountain” (or “Bear Place”). This is believed to reference either Bear Mountain (a nearby ridge) or the appearance of the ridge itself.

The town grew initially due to the discovery and exploitation of anthracite coal, and its location along the Lehigh River. The Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company (LC&N) played a central role.

One of the early notable transportation innovations was the Switchback Railroad, built in 1828, which carried coal to the head of the Lehigh Canal, for further transport. Over time, rail replaced canal transport.

In 1954, the boroughs of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk merged, and the new consolidated borough was renamed Jim Thorpe (after the Native American Olympian Jim Thorpe, who died in 1953). Part of the reasoning was that the town’s leaders saw a possibility of boosting tourism and prestige.

Jim Thorpe’s remains were moved from Oklahoma and interred in a memorial mausoleum in the town, to solidify the link between his legacy and the borough.

The borough is in a valley carved by the Lehigh River, in the Pocono Mountains region. It has dramatic topography — steep hillsides, ridges, etc.

The “Old Mauch Chunk Historic District” is a nationally registered historic district. It encompasses much of the central business area and includes numerous well-preserved buildings of architectural interest, in styles such as Italianate, Gothic Revival, etc. Some notable buildings in the district include the Asa Packer Mansion, Harry Packer Mansion, the Carbon County Courthouse, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, etc.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is particularly significant: built 1867-1869 (with additions later), in Gothic Revival style by noted architect Richard Upjohn. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

Historically, Jim Thorpe’s economy was heavily based on coal mining, canal transport, and later railroad transport. These industries declined in the mid-20th century.

Today, Jim Thorpe’s economic base is tourism, heritage, arts, and outdoor recreation. It draws visitors for its scenic beauty, historic architecture, festivals (e.g. fall foliage), museums, train rides, river activities, etc.

The borough has been nicknamed “The Switzerland of America” (or “Little Switzerland”) in recognition of its scenic beauty and mountain-town feel.

It hosts a number of historic institutions: e.g. the Old Jail Museum, Dimmick Memorial Library (established 1890), etc. These serve both preservation and tourism purposes.

The change of name (from Mauch Chunk / East Mauch Chunk → Jim Thorpe) was controversial in some respects but has substantially shaped the town’s identity. It was part of a strategy to revitalize the area after the coal industry waned.

*Large Color Version -https://gis.carboncounty.com/prcs/Initial%20Repository/Jim%20Thorpe%20Upper%20Broadway%20of%20West%20Side%20(Map%20of%20Upper%20Broadway%20of%20West%20Side%20Mauch%20Chunk)%20-%20Color.pdf

09/16/2025

Carbon County’s Map of the Day - Mayflower (Maps)

On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower sails from Plymouth, England, bound for the Americas with 102 passengers. The ship was headed for Virginia, where the colonists—half religious dissenters and half entrepreneurs—had been authorized to settle by the British crown. However, stormy weather and navigational errors forced the Mayflower off course, and on November 21 the “Pilgrims” reached Massachusetts, where they founded the first permanent European settlement in New England in late December.

Thirty-five of the Pilgrims were members of the radical English Separatist Church, who traveled to America to escape the jurisdiction of the Church of England, which they found corrupt. Ten years earlier, English persecution had led a group of Separatists to flee to Holland in search of religious freedom. However, many were dissatisfied with economic opportunities in the Netherlands, and under the direction of William Bradford they decided to immigrate to Virginia, where an English colony had been founded at Jamestown in 1607.

The Separatists won financial backing from a group of investors called the London Adventurers, who were promised a sizable share of the colony’s profits. Three dozen church members made their way back to England, where they were joined by about 70 entrepreneurs–enlisted by the London stock company to ensure the success of the enterprise. In August 1620, the Mayflower left Southampton with a smaller vessel–the Speedwell–but the latter proved unseaworthy and twice was forced to return to port. On September 16, the Mayflower left for America alone from Plymouth.

In a difficult Atlantic crossing, the 90-foot Mayflower encountered rough seas and storms and was blown more than 500 miles off course. Along the way, the settlers formulated and signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that bound the signatories into a “civil body politic.” Because it established constitutional law and the rule of the majority, the compact is regarded as an important precursor to American democracy. After a 66-day voyage, the ship landed on November 21 on the tip of Cape Cod at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts.

After coming to anchor in Provincetown harbor, a party of armed men under the command of Captain Myles Standish was sent out to explore the area and find a location suitable for settlement. While they were gone, Susanna White gave birth to a son, Peregrine, aboard the Mayflower. He was the first English child born in New England. In mid-December, the explorers went ashore at a location across Cape Cod Bay where they found cleared fields and plentiful running water and named the site Plymouth.

The expedition returned to Provincetown, and on December 21 the Mayflower came to anchor in Plymouth harbor. Just after Christmas, the pilgrims began work on dwellings that would shelter them through their difficult first winter in America.

In the first year of settlement, half the colonists died of disease. In 1621, the health and economic condition of the colonists improved, and that autumn Governor William Bradford invited neighboring Indians to Plymouth to celebrate the bounty of that year’s harvest season. Plymouth soon secured treaties with most local Indian tribes, and the economy steadily grew, and more colonists were attracted to the settlement. By the mid 1640s, Plymouth’s population numbered 3,000 people, but by then the settlement had been overshadowed by the larger Massachusetts Bay Colony to the north, settled by Puritans in 1629.

The term “Pilgrim” was not used to describe the Plymouth colonists until the early 19th century and was derived from a manuscript in which Governor Bradford spoke of the “saints” who left Holland as “pilgrimes.” The orator Daniel Webster spoke of “Pilgrim Fathers” at a bicentennial celebration of Plymouth’s founding in 1820, and thereafter the term entered common usage.