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1916 Map of Lake Bonaparte

Name: 1916 Topographic Map of Lake Bonaparte
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1935
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1935

About this map

Lake Bonaparte anchors this Lewis County landscape during the early twentieth century, serving as a focal point for the surrounding towns of Pitcairn and Diana. The region’s economic life is defined by the Middle Branch Oswegatchie River and its various tributaries, which powered local industry at sites like Kimball Mill and Bishas Mills. Transportation through this often-marshy terrain, including the notable Sunday Swamp, was facilitated by the New York Central and the Carthage and Adirondack Ry, connecting remote outposts like Natural Bridge and Harrisville to larger markets.

Genealogists can find a high density of rural schoolhouses, such as the California School and Blanchard School, which highlight the scattered nature of settlement at the time. Small corners and settlements like Rices Corners, Alpina, and the Middle Branch Settlement provide a detailed look at community life before mid-century changes. The terrain is marked by a complex network of ponds and creeks, including Toothaker Pond and Greenwood Creek, which shaped the roads and property lines of the era.