1898 Map of Keene

About this map

Keene serves as the focal point of this late 19th-century survey, revealing the dense street grid and rail infrastructure of the city at the edge of Tenant Swamp. The landscape is dominated by the Ashuelot River and its many tributaries, which supported the early industrial growth of villages like West Swanzey and Ashuelot. Transportation networks of the era are clearly defined, from the Boston and Maine R.R. lines following the river valleys to Ware's Ferry crossing the Connecticut River on the western edge. Genealogists can identify significant cultural landmarks such as Meetinghouse Hill in Winchester and the many named cemeteries and schools that dotted the townships of Swanzey and Richmond before modern development altered these rural corridors. The topography is meticulously detailed, showcasing prominent heights like Mount Pisgah and Pistareen Mountain overlooking Spofford Lake.