1902 Map of Phelps

About this map

Industrial and agricultural development at the turn of the century defines this portion of Ontario and Yates Counties. The Canandaigua Outlet powers its way through the northern townships, supporting settlements like Shortsville and Manchester. The arrival of the New York Central And Hudson River R.R. and the Lehigh Valley R.R. transformed the region into a vital transport corridor, connecting the therapeutic waters of Clifton Springs to broader markets. Further south, the landscape transitions into a complex pattern of drumlins and fertile valleys, where the N.Y. Agricultural Station stands near Oaks Corners. This 1902 survey reveals a dense network of small hamlets such as Seneca Castle, Hopewell, and Gorham that thrived before the widespread adoption of the automobile, each centered around local rail junctions like Phelps Junction or the winding path of Flint Creek.