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1901 Map of Old Forge

Name: 1901 Topographic Map of Old Forge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1944
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1944

About this map

Old Forge serves as a gateway to the central Adirondacks at the turn of the century, positioned where the Fulton Chain R.R. meets the waters of First Lake. The landscape is defined by the early development of wilderness retreats and logging infrastructure, with Mountain Lodge and Bisby Lodge establishing a presence for seasonal residents and sportsmen. The map highlights a complex network of waterways including the Middle Branch Moose River and the chain of Bisby Lakes, which provided essential transportation routes for the region's burgeoning timber and tourism industries.

Industrial activity is evidenced by the Stillwater R.R. and various camps such as Carlin Camp and Beecher Camp scattered throughout the territory. Notable elevations like Bald Mountain and Panther Mountain overlook the dense hydrography of Woodhull Lake and Canachagala Lake. This survey by H.M. Wilson and W.J. Peters documents the transition of the Herkimer County interior from a remote lumbering district to a destination for early 20th-century recreation.