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1896 Map of Crawford Notch

Name: 1896 Topographic Map of Crawford Notch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1909
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1909

About this map

Crawford House and the Willey House stand as primary landmarks within the White Mountains, marking the historic mountain passes and travel routes long before modern highway systems. This survey, conducted in the 1890s, documents a landscape defined by timber extraction and early mountain tourism. The Maine Central R. R. cuts a precise path through the notches, while several Lumber R. R. lines branch into the high valleys of Livermore and Albany, illustrating the industrial scale of the logging era.

Hydrological features are intricately detailed, from the source of the Saco River at Saco Lake to the dramatic Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade. The map also captures the complex topography of the Mont Alban Ridge and the Bethlehem Mountains, including notable formations like Frankenstein Cliff and the Giants Stairs. These details provide a clear view of the region's transition from a logging frontier to a destination for hikers and summer visitors.