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1903 Map of Richfield Springs

Name: 1903 Topographic Map of Richfield Springs
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1911
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1911

About this map

Otsego Lake and its northern headwaters at Hyde Bay anchor the southern portion of this region at the start of the twentieth century. The landscape is defined by a dense network of farming hamlets and small villages, including Springfield Center and Cherry Valley, connected by local roads that wind through the upland topography of the northern Susquehanna watershed. To the west, the D. L. & W. R. R. serves Richfield Springs, a notable resort destination near the shores of Canadarago Lake.

Transport is central to the area's economy, with a marked Steamboat Route navigating the length of Otsego Lake and the C. & C. V. R. R. cutting through the valleys. The map documents numerous smaller settlements like Vanhornesville and Starkville, along with prominent peaks such as Waiontha Mt and Prospect Hill. This era shows the rural infrastructure of Otsego and Herkimer counties before the widespread modernization of state highways, emphasizing the role of rail and water travel.