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1900 Map of Erie

Name: 1900 Topographic Map of Erie
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

Presque Isle Bay and its protective peninsula dominate this turn-of-the-century coastal landscape, serving as the focal point for the growing industrial hub of Erie. The map illustrates the complex natural geography of the peninsula, dotted with specific water bodies like Misery Bay, Ridge Pond, and Cranberry Pond, alongside critical maritime aids such as the Presque Isle L.H. and Erie L.H.. The landward terrain reveals a burgeoning urban grid in Erie that transitions into a series of smaller rural settlements and townships.

Industrial development is clearly marked by a dense network of railroads, including the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern R. R. and the P. R. R. (Philadelphia and Erie Div.), which facilitated the movement of goods between the Great Lakes and inland markets. Inland, community landmarks like the Weis Library and smaller villages such as Wesleyville, Swanville, and Sterrettania provide essential markers for genealogists tracing family roots in the townships of Mill Creek, Summit, and Fairview.