Teacher Guide to Student Worksheet 2- Interpretation of Maps
Name: __________________
Directions: All these maps have something to do with iron production. First, go to
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/maps/pennsylvania_map.html and print out a county map. Then
analyze the maps below and answer the corresponding questions!
Lumber Production in Pennsylvania
1. In 1860, what county of the state produced the most lumber?
Allegheny County produced the most lumber.
2. In general what area (northern, southern, eastern, or western Pennsylvania) produced more
lumber?
The Northern area produced more lumber.
3
In 1880 Pennsylvania was the number one producer of lumber in the United States. How much
(percentage) of the nation’s lumber did it produce?
9.58 % (Approximately 10 %)
4. From your answer to question 3, you can see that lumber was a big part of Pennsylvania’s
industry in 1880. However, trees and their wood played an important part of Pennsylvania right
from the very beginning. (For an extra point, can you tell me what the name “Pennsylvania”
means?) In the early part of the iron industry (1716-1840), lumber played an important role in the
making of iron. What product of wood was used to fuel furnaces? (Hint: It is smoldered wood.)
Extra: “Silva” is Latin for “woods.” Literally, it translates to “Penn of having woods” or
Penn’s woods.
Charcoal was used early in the iron industry to fuel iron furnaces.
Working Stone Quarries
1. What is a quarry?
A quarry is a pit or mine where rocks and minerals are extracted from the earth.
2. When was this map produced?
This map was produce in 1920.
3. Name three types of stone present in Pennsylvania at the time illustrated by this map.
Possibilities include Limestone, Sandstone, Bluestone, Slate, Marble, Granite
4. Why do you think we are looking at a map of stone quarries that does not include iron ore in
studying iron production?
One of these stones must be used in the process of iron making. Teacher note: You can
mention here that limestone was an ingredient used in the making of iron. Iron
manufacturers would place limestone in the furnace to draw away the impurities found in
the iron ore. The limestone and iron ore impurities combined to form slag, which was then
siphoned off the top. The pure, molten iron remained below.
Bituminous and Anthracite Coal (1860)
1. One of Pennsylvania’s natural resources was coal. Name the six/seven counties producing
anthracite coal:
Lackawanna, Luzerne, Columbia, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Carbon, Dauphin
2. Of the counties you have listed above, which two counties were still considered one in 1860?
Lackawanna and Luzerne
3. Look at the key. How many tons of coal does light green symbolize?
100 to 324,000 tons
4. What type of coal is represented by peach colors?
Bituminous
5. What do you think coal has to do with the production of iron?
In the 1860s it begins to replace charcoal as the fuel for the furnace.
Iron and Steel Manufacturing
1. What county produced the most iron in 1860?
Allegheny
2. What percentage of the state’s total did this county produce?
10 to 20
3. What other area of the state held a high number of furnaces? Name a major city nearby.
Southeast, Philadelphia
4. Compare the 18th century map to the 1860 map. Name two changes you see taking place.
1. In the 18th century all the furnaces were charcoal. In 1860 there were about half fueled by
charcoal and half by anthracite/coke.
2. There are more furnaces in the state in 1860 than in the 18th century.
Other possibilities:
There are more counties across the state in 1860 than in the 18th century.
Rolling mills (factories where metal is shaped into sheets, bars, etc.) are shown as a
feature in the 1860 map, but not in the 18th century map.
5. Locate the current capital of the state. Did its county produce iron in 1860? How many furnaces
approximately were located there?
Harrisburg. Yes, Dauphin County produced iron. It had approximately 1-5 charcoal
furnaces and 1-5 anthracite or coke furnaces.