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1958 Map of Elmira

Name: 1958 Topographic Map of Elmira
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

The Finger Lakes Region dominates this mid-century landscape, defined by the deep glacial troughs of Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, and Keuka Lake. This area was a critical nexus for transportation and education in 1958, anchored by major hubs like Elmira, Ithaca, and Auburn. The map captures the significant industrial and military footprint of the era, most notably the Seneca Ordnance Depot situated between the lakes and the sprawling grounds of Cornell University.

Transit networks are shown in high detail, reflecting the transition from heavy rail to the nascent interstate era. The Erie RR and Lehigh Valley RR snake through the valleys of the Allegheny Plateau, while the newly established New York State Thruway cuts across the northern corridor. From the Onondaga Indian Reservation to the heights of Alma Hill, the map documents a region balancing its agricultural heritage with mid-century institutional expansion.