1951 Map of Harrisville

About this map

Harrisville sits at the heart of this North Country landscape, where the West Branch Oswegatchie River and its South Branch meet. The settlement patterns of the mid-20th century are clearly defined by the path of the New York Central railroad, which skirts the river's edge through the village and north toward Pitcairn. This area, straddling the St. Lawrence and Lewis County line, is dominated by a complex network of water bodies and high ground, including the eastern shores of Lake Bonaparte and the prominent Baldface Hill. Small rural clusters such as Geers Corners and Backus appear alongside the Garrison Cem, providing essential landmarks for genealogists and local historians. The map records the timber and water-rich geography that sustained these communities, evidenced by the numerous named ponds and creeks like Toothaker Creek and Jenny Creek.