1897 Map of Paradox Lake

About this map

The C. P. and H. R. R. (Abandoned) line cuts across the terrain near Ironville, revealing a landscape in transition as the industrial rail infrastructure of the late 19th century began to fade. This region of the eastern Adirondacks is defined by its complex waterway systems, centered on the expansive Lake Paradox and smaller water bodies like Pyramid Lake and Hammond Pond. Settlements such as Hammondville and Chilson are linked by a network of early roads and trails, including the route to Graphite in the south. The topography is exceptionally dense, featuring prominent peaks like Pharaoh Mt., Skiff Mt., and Old Fort Mt. which overlook numerous marshes such as Glidden Marsh and Harrison Marsh. These features highlight a territory where early settlement and resource extraction, indicated by the abandoned rail and named ponds like Lilypad Pond, were dictated by the formidable mountain relief.