STEM Librarian
Andrea Pritt
she/her/Ms.
Contact:
Library 204A
Penn State Harrisburg Library
351 Olmsted Dr.
Middletown, PA 17057
Penn State Harrisburg Library
351 Olmsted Dr.
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6071
Land Use Information
- CropScapeMap from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing corn, cotton, soybean, wheat, and other plantings.
- Landfill Technical DataThis database by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides the name, location, age, status, and other information about landfills throughout the U.S.
Development, Planning, and Zoning
In the U.S., many local and county governments have "economic development," "planning," or "zoning" departments which guide how land can be developed. Their "comprehensive plans" and other reports can provide rich information about a community's physical geography.
To find them, Google the name of the town or county and "development," "planning," or "zoning." Here are offices for some counties near Penn State Harrisburg:
- Pennsylvania eLibraryComprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and other land use information for many (but not all) Pennsylvania communities.
Historical Land Use Information
- Digitized Pennsylvania Sanborn Fire Insurance MapsSanborn maps from the 19th and 20th century can tell you how land was used over time. Penn State has digitized many from Pennsylvania. To check if there is a Sanborn map for your town, click on this link, then scroll down the page to check the list of towns covered.