This fascinating manuscript atlas is a unique and important working document showing the Lewisburg Centre & Spruce Creek Railroad land transactions in central Pennsylvania. The 74 pages of maps include 8 pages depicting the line as it travels from Lewisburg west to Lemont (near State College) and 66 pages showing small sections of the line by property grantor, which were drawn two per page. The maps are accompanied by a two-page index detailing the terms of each agreement including the grantor's name, size of tract, purchase price, and corresponding page number for the map. The maps are enhanced with mostly red hand coloring. Drawn by Edward M. Leuffer, Assistant Engineer and Draughtsman. Oblong folio, hardbound in red quarter leather and tips over blue cloth boards.

The Lewisburg, Centre and Spruce Creek Railroad, a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was originally chartered in 1853. It was amended the next year to connect Lewisburg to Tyrone, but the full line was never completed. It consisted of two sections - Tyrone to Fairbrook and Lewisburg to Lemont, the later of which is depicted in this example (Volume II). The completed lines were never fully utilized and regular service finally ended in 1997.

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Condition: A

The maps are remarkably clean and bright with minor soiling along the right edge of the sheets and numerous pencil notations from use. The binding is somewhat loose due to its size and the covers are moderately worn and stained. The bottom right corner of the front cover is chipped off.