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1897 Map of Medina

Name: 1897 Topographic Map of Medina
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Tonawanda Indian Reservation occupies the southwestern quadrant of this 1890s landscape, where the waters of Tonawanda Creek and Murder Creek wind through the borderlands of Niagara, Erie, and Genesee Counties. To the north, the industrial and transport corridor of the Erie Canal serves as the primary artery for commerce, linking settlements like Medina, Middleport, and Knowlesville. The influence of the New York Central and Hudson River railroad is evident, paralleling the canal and supporting the growth of these transit-oriented villages.

Between the canal and the southern reservation lies the expansive Oak Orchard Swamp, a significant natural feature fed by a dedicated Feeder Canal. This region is dotted with smaller rural hamlets and railroad stops such as Alabama Sta., Shelby, and Indian Falls. The presence of Ridge Road along the northern edge reflects the early overland routes established along the region's unique glacial topography, providing a stark contrast to the low-lying wetlands of the Oak Orchard Creek drainage basin.