1942 Map of Middlesex

About this map

Canandaigua Lake dominates the western edge of this landscape, its deep blue waters meeting the steep rises of South Hill and Bare Hill. In the early 1940s, the rural character of the Finger Lakes region was defined by small settlements like Middlesex and Vine Valley, connected by the Lehigh Valley railroad line. The map illustrates a high density of rural schoolhouses, from School No 2 at Overacker Corners to School No 6 near the Johnson Cem, reflecting a landscape of decentralized farming communities before post-war consolidation. To the south, the High Tor Game Management Area occupies the rugged terrain between Clark Gully and Conklin Gully, preserving the steep-walled glens and ridges that feed the West River marshlands. Genealogists will find numerous family-named landmarks and cemeteries, including Coy Cem and Wolven Cem, tucked away along routes like Italy Valley Road.