1939 Map of Rhinebeck

About this map

The Hudson River serves as the central artery for this mid-century landscape, separating the bustling industrial activity of Kingston and Rondout on the west bank from the rolling estates and farmland of Dutchess County to the east. Extensive rail infrastructure, including the New York Central RR and the West Shore RR, follows the river's edge, highlighting the corridor's role in the regional economy. Inland, the map reveals a network of tight-knit agricultural and mill communities such as De Witt Mills, Schultzville, and Pleasant Plains. The prevalence of small rural institutions like the Stone Ch, Ellerslie Sch, and Hook Sch provides a detailed look at the social geography of the 1930s, while large swampy tracts like Snyder Swamp and Lush Swamp remain largely undeveloped, defining the natural drainage patterns toward Wappinger Creek and Landsman Kill.