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1953 Map of Averill Park

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Averill Park
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Rensselaer County landscape transitions from the suburban development of Averill Park and West Sand Lake into the sharp relief of the Snake Hill ridge. In the mid-1950s, this area supported a mix of residential growth and institutional landmarks, including the Pawling Sanatorium and the Pine Bowl Speedway. Local life centered around established hamlets like Poestenkill and Eagle Mills, while the eastern portion of the map reveals a more secluded terrain defined by water bodies such as Crystal Lake, Sand Lake, and Glass Lake.

Tracing the waterways like the Quacken Kill and Poesten Kill reveals the region's historic dependence on these streams for early industry. Genealogists will find a high density of burial grounds, from the Brookside Cem and Hillside Cem to family-named sites like Bonesteel Cem and Morrison Cem. The presence of the Boy Scout Camp and various lakeside settlements underscores the area's evolution into a recreational retreat for nearby Troy and Albany.