1957 Map of Poughkeepsie

About this map

The Hudson River serves as the central artery for this mid-20th-century landscape, dividing the urban expansion of Poughkeepsie from the steep wooded slopes of Illinois Mountain to the west. On the eastern shore, the city's academic and social infrastructure is well-established, anchored by the expansive grounds of Vassar College and Dutchess County Community College. The era's transportation network is defined by the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the heavy rail lines of Conrail and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority hugging the riverbanks. Beyond the city center, the landscape transitions into suburban developments like Arlington and Fairview, while the sprawling Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery and the Dutchess Golf and Country Club preserve large tracts of open space. To the south, Wappinger Creek winds toward the river near Barnegat, marking a shift toward the more residential and industrial clusters of Red Oaks Mill.