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1945 Map of Stephentown Center

Name: 1945 Topographic Map of Stephentown Center
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1958
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1958

About this map

Stephentown Center and the surrounding hamlets of the Taconics are documented in this mid-century survey, showcasing a landscape defined by sharp elevation changes and narrow valley settlements. The village of Stephentown sits at the junction of Kinderhook Creek and Roaring Brook, serving as a focal point for local transport near the Massachusetts border. Higher elevations are marked by utilitarian landmarks of the era, such as the Seven Hill Firetower and an Airway Beacon atop Turner Mountain, indicating the area's importance for regional observation and navigation.

Local genealogy is well-represented through several family and community burial sites, including Hillside Cem near Dunham Hollow and Presbyterian Hill Cem to the south. The northern reaches are largely dedicated to the Capital District Forest and Game Refuge, where Black River Pond feeds the south-flowing Black River. This mapping captures the rural character of eastern Rensselaer County before modern expansion, preserving the locations of vanished farmsteads and old schoolhouse districts.