1986 Map of Jamestown

About this map

Chautauqua Lake anchors this part of western New York, serving as a central geographic and cultural axis between the industrial shoreline of Lake Erie and the rural hills of the Southern Tier. The map shows the established cultural footprint of the Chautauqua Institution along the lake's western shore, contrasting with the commercial centers of Jamestown and Dunkirk. Transportation networks dominate the landscape, from the heavy transit corridor of the New York State Thruway and Conrail lines along the lake plain to the winding routes through the Flag Creek Valley. Local landmarks like the Dunkirk Lighthouse and Barcelona Lighthouse mark the historic maritime edge, while higher elevations are defined by prominent points like Luce Hill and Boutwell Hill, highlighting the transition from the Erie plain to the Allegheny Plateau.