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1954 Map of Montezuma

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Montezuma
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1956
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1956

About this map

The Seneca River and the historical Erie Canal define this landscape at the confluence of Cayuga, Wayne, and Seneca counties. By the mid-1950s, the terrain was heavily shaped by water management and conservation, anchored by the Howland Island Game Refuge and the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. These marshy lowlands, including the vast Seneca Marsh, are intersected by the heavy infrastructure of the New York Central railroad and the rising modern footprint of the Thruway.

Local life is concentrated in settlements like Port Byron and Montezuma, where the Owasco Lake Outlet meets the river system. Genealogists and local historians can trace small crossroads and points of interest such as Cottage Corners, Hunters Home, and Willow Grove. The map details the transition from an old canal-based economy to a mid-century transportation hub, preserving the locations of Montezuma Station and the various island features like Hog Island and Crusoe Island before further modern development.