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1954 Map of Old Forge

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Old Forge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Old Forge serves as the gateway to the Central Adirondacks in this mid-1950s survey, marking the starting point of the celebrated Fulton Chain Lakes. The map documents the intricate waterway system from First Lake through Seventh Lake, showing the early footprint of recreational development around Mountain Lodge and Forest Lodge. Beyond the primary chain, the landscape is defined by a dense concentration of smaller water bodies such as Limekiln Lake and the high peaks of Panther Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain.

Tracing the corridor of the South Shore Road, the survey captures a wilderness interface where small outposts like Atwell and Herkimer Landing sit along the Black River. The intricate contouring reveals the complex hydrology of the Adirondack State Park, detailing the numerous streams and ponds that fed the region's logging and early tourism industries. From the peaks of Bald Mtn to the remote Ice Cave Mountain, this document preserves the geography of a storied New York highland before later modern expansion.