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1898 Map of Keene

Name: 1898 Topographic Map of Keene
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1911
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1911

About this map

The Ashuelot River carves a central path through this late 19th-century survey of Cheshire County, anchoring a landscape where industrial transit and rugged topography converge. At the turn of the century, Keene serves as a vital rail hub, where the Fitchburg Division and the Cheshire Branch of the Boston and Maine R.R. meet. The map reveals a dense network of water-dependent features, from the industrial Ashuelot and Hinsdale clusters to the recreational waters of Spofford Lake.

Upland life is defined by numerous named peaks including Pistareen Mountain and Rattlesnake Mountain, while lowlands like Tenant Swamp and Ash Swamp indicate the challenging drainage patterns that shaped local development. Of particular interest to researchers are the specific rural nodes like Parkhill and Westport, which provide a clear look at the distribution of Cheshire County settlements before mid-century expansion altered the regional character.