Loading map...

1941 Map of Cattaraugus

Name: 1941 Topographic Map of Cattaraugus
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1941
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1941

About this map

Gowanda sits at the northern heart of this landscape, where the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation and the State Asylum flank the winding path of Cattaraugus Creek. This survey, revised just before the mid-century, reveals a countryside defined by small rural school districts and family-named corners. The Erie railroad cuts through the western terrain, connecting settlements like Dayton and Markhams while the southern reach transitions into the expansive Conewango Swamp and Waterman Swamp.

A remarkable density of country schools, such as Scrabble Hill School, Poverty Hill School, and Toad Hollow School, illustrates the decentralized nature of rural New York education at this time. The topography is dotted with family landmarks like Snyders Cors and Kendall Cors, providing a clear view of local genealogy and land ownership before post-war consolidation altered these township patterns.