1916 Map of Lake Bonaparte

About this map

Lake Bonaparte serves as the central focal point of this northern New York landscape, where the waters of the Indian River and the Oswegatchie River weave through a network of small ponds and timbered hills. During this era, the region was defined by a scattered arrangement of rural settlements and remote schoolhouses, such as the California School and Shantyville School, which supported families in isolated pockets like Shantyville and Alpina. The industrial footprint of the time is visible through landmarks like Kimball Mill and Bishas Mill, reflecting a local economy tied to the river systems.