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1943 Map of Franklin

Name: 1943 Topographic Map of Franklin
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

New York Ontario and Western rail lines bisect this Delaware County landscape during the mid-1940s, providing a vital corridor through the hilly terrain between the Susquehanna River and the uplands. The settlement of Franklin serves as a local hub along Ouleout Creek, supported by smaller hamlets like Merrickville, Leonta, and Woodford. This survey reveals an integrated rural infrastructure of the era, where one-room schoolhouses such as School No 16 and School No 18 remained prominent landmarks for local families.

Industrial and agricultural life is evidenced by the Gaging Station near East Sidney and the numerous family-named landmarks, including Lawton Hill and Sherman Hill. The map meticulously tracks the passage of Handsome Brook and Treadwell Creek, illustrating how the valley topography dictated the placement of cemeteries like Ouleout Valley Cem and Barnes Cem, which today serve as essential records for genealogical research in the region.