1955 Map of Colden

About this map

The Baltimore and Ohio railroad corridor anchors the rural landscape of southern Erie County, connecting several small hamlets and milk-stops as it parallels the West Branch Cazenovia Creek. The terrain is defined by the sharp transition between the upland plateaus of East Hill and South Hill and the deep creek valleys, creating the dramatic relief found within Chestnut Ridge Park. Small community centers like West Falls and Colden serve as local hubs, while smaller vanished or unincorporated points such as Jewettville, Patchin, and Griffins Mills indicate the dense 19th-century settlement pattern. Genealogists will find numerous family-named landmarks and rural burial grounds, including Maple Wood Cem and Partridge Cem, alongside local parishes like St Martins Ch and Union Ch. Modern utility infrastructure is also noted, including the TV Tower (WBEN) and the Orchard Park Reservoir.