1903 Map of Raquette Lake

About this map

Forked Lake and the vast waters of the central Adirondacks define this turn-of-the-century landscape, captured in a period when the region was primarily a wilderness of private estates and early outdoor tourism. The map highlights a significant Steamboat Route cutting through the center of the lake system, providing a rare look at the primary transportation artery before modern road networks. Settlement is sparse, represented by occasional outposts like Camp and Fish Camp, while numerous family-named landmarks such as Whitney's Little Forked Lake and Antlers Point reveal the early footprints of storied camps and retreats. From the northern reaches of Lake Lila to the southern elevation of Blue Ridge, the intricate drainage of brooks and ponds, including Shingle Shanty Brook and Sargent Ponds, illustrates the complex geography of the Raquette River watershed in its nearly primordial state.