1944 Map of Lake Carmel

About this map

Carmel and its surrounding hill country in the mid-1940s are defined by an extensive system of reservoirs and water bodies including West Branch Reservoir and Croton Falls Reservoir. This topographical survey illustrates a landscape of early recreational retreats like Gipsy Trail Camp and Camp Brady set against the older agrarian and industrial bones of the county. The historic Tilly Foster Mine stands as a prominent industrial landmark near the Middle Branch Reservoir, while Drew Seminary overlooks the waters of Lake Gleneida. Transportation through the region is anchored by the New York Central railroad, which threads between the peaks of Smalley Mtn and Mount Pisgah, connecting rural settlements such as Farmers Mills, Crafts, and Deans Corners.