1912 Map of Hartwick

About this map

Burlington Flats and the surrounding dairy country of Otsego County appear here just before the era of widespread automobile travel. The landscape is defined by its water-driven geography, where the West Branch Otego Creek and Wharton Creek carve deep valleys through the hills. Transportation relies on a mix of steam and electric power, with the N Y O & W R R serving the western edge near Edmeston while the O & H Electric line provides a modern link through the eastern valley. Small, concentrated settlements such as Garrattsville, Welcome, and Lena serve as local hubs for the farming families in the surrounding uplands. The presence of numerous named ponds and reservoirs, including Wilber Lake and Turtle Lake, reflects the ongoing importance of water management for local industry and the growing needs of nearby population centers.