1905 Map of Saint Regis

About this map

Paul Smiths and the surrounding wilderness of Franklin County are depicted here in a landscape defined by an intricate network of water and timber-line rail. The New York and Ottawa RR cuts through the western terrain, connecting isolated outposts like Derrick and Bay Pond. The map illustrates a transitional period for the Adirondacks, where early resort culture at the Saranac Club and Wawbeek began to intersect with the industrial reality of remote settlements like Brandon. The water system is particularly dense, centered on the sprawling St Regis Pond and the headwaters of the St Regis River. Topography is anchored by prominent peaks including St Regis Mt and Brandon Hill, overlooking a patchwork of smaller bodies such as Hoel Pond and Lake Clear. The presence of the Saranac Inn Sta marks the importance of rail access for the burgeoning seasonal population in the early twentieth century.