1953 Map of Beaver Dams

About this map

Watkins Glen State Park anchors the northeastern corner of this mid-century landscape, where the dramatic gorges of Watkins Glen meet the agrarian uplands of Dix and Catlin. The settlement pattern reflects a deeply rooted rural community, connected by the New York Central railroad corridor that runs south through Beaver Dams and Chambers. Genealogists will find significant detail in the distribution of local institutions, including numerous one-room schoolhouses like North Beaver Dams Sch and Upper Moreland Sch, alongside family resting places such as Savory Cem. The terrain is defined by the high ground of Baker Hill and Watkins Hill, with water drainages like Townsend Creek and Post Creek carving through the valleys. This survey captures a moment when small hamlets like Shequaga and Moreland remained distinct centers of rural life before the consolidation of the late 20th century.