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1897 Map of Albion

Name: 1897 Topographic Map of Albion
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1902
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1902

About this map

The Erie Canal cuts through the northern landscape of Orleans County, anchoring the commercial growth of Albion and Holley at the turn of the century. This survey reveals a region defined by its sophisticated transportation corridors, where the New York Central and Hudson River RR parallels the historic waterway. Moving south into Genesee County, the terrain shifts from the agricultural plains near Barre Center toward the significant wetlands of the Oak Orchard Swamp, a massive natural feature that influenced early road placement and settlement patterns.

Local genealogy and land use are etched into the map through family-named crossroads like Rich's Corners, Langton Corners, and Daws. The southern reaches are dominated by the rail-driven economies of South Byron and Morganville, where the Lehigh Valley RR and other lines intersect. From the banks of Tonawanda Creek to the cluster of homes at Pumpkin Hill, the map documents a transition from canal-era prosperity to the height of the steam rail era.