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1896 Map of Crawford Notch

Name: 1896 Topographic Map of Crawford Notch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1933
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1933

About this map

Crawford House and the Willey House anchor the high mountain passes of the White Mountains in this late 19th-century survey. The landscape is defined by the steep descent of the Saco River and the industrial infrastructure required to navigate it, including the Maine Central R. R. and the Portland & Ogdensburg R. R.. These rail lines follow the narrow corridors created by the terrain, providing a vital link through the New Hampshire State Forest Reserve to settlements like Bartlett and Livermore.

The map reveals a wilderness transitioning into a managed timber and tourism resource. Evidence of the logging era is visible via the Lumber R. R. branching near the Sawyer River. Notable natural landmarks like Flume Cascade, Silver Cascade, and Thoreau Falls highlight the dramatic hydrology of the region, while named locations such as Nash & Sawyer Location and Chandler Purchase reflect the unique historical land grant patterns of northern New Hampshire.