1949 Map of Niagara Falls

About this map

The Niagara Falls urban corridor and the surging waters of the Niagara River dominate this 1940s landscape, captured just before the massive post-war expansion of the local hydroelectric infrastructure. The map details the intricate cluster of islands above the precipice, including Goat Island and the Three Sisters Islands, while documenting the precise locations of the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls. Beyond the tourist vistas, the city's residential and industrial grid is densely packed with neighborhood landmarks like Trott Vocational Sch and St Marys Hospital. To the south, the Chippawa Channel separates the mainland from Grand Island, where the rural character is marked by the Staly Cem and small farm roads. The presence of the Erie RR and NYC RR lines underscores the city's role as a vital mid-century transportation and industrial hub.