1903 Map of Rosendale

About this map

Ashokan Reservoir dominates the northern reaches of this map, reflecting a significant moment in the hydrological history of Ulster County as the New York City Board of Water Supply worked to transform the landscape. The intricate rail networks of the early twentieth century are clearly visible, including the Ulster and Delaware running near the reservoir and the New York Ontario and Western traversing the southern portion of the sheet. The terrain transitions from the elevations of Bonticou Crag and Skytop in the south toward the lower river valleys. Established settlements such as Stone Ridge, High Falls, and the village of Rosendale sit along a complex of waterways including Esopus Creek and the Wallkill River. This map captures a window of time when old canal-side hamlets like Creek Locks and Eddyville existed alongside the rapidly expanding infrastructure of the modern reservoir system.