2019 Map of Gowanda

About this map

Cattaraugus Creek carves a deep valley that defines the border between Erie and Cattaraugus Counties, anchored by the village of Gowanda. This 2019 survey illustrates a landscape of clustered rural settlements and family-named landmarks, such as the Jolls Cem and Markhams Cem, which offer significant value for genealogists tracing local lineage. The drainage patterns of Thatcher Brook and Point Peter Brook influence the placement of the road network, which connects outlying hamlets like Bagdad, Dayton, and Markhams. Cultural history is particularly evident in the preservation of numerous burial grounds, including the Pioneer Methodist Cem and the Saint Pauls of the Cross Cem further south. The map provides a clear picture of how historical settlement patterns have persisted along the watercourses and ridges of this western New York region.