1966 Map of Oswegatchie

About this map

The Oswegatchie River dominates this landscape, winding through the northern reaches of the Adirondack State Forest Preserve Park at a time when the region's industrial and wilderness identities were deeply intertwined. The Penn Central railroad cuts across the terrain, serving the massive industrial footprint of Benson Mines and its associated Strip Mine and Mine Dump. These heavy industrial features stand in contrast to the quiet settlements of Aldrich and Coffins Mills, and the recreational character of the Golf Course at Star Lake. Local heritage is preserved in the cemeteries of St Michaels Cem and Woodland Cem near the northern riverbanks. The infrastructure of the era is evidenced by the Browns Fall Powerplant and various gaging stations, reflecting a managed wilderness utilized for power and mineral extraction during the mid-twentieth century.