1945 Map of Stratford

About this map

Adirondack State Park encompasses much of this mid-1940s landscape, where the southern boundary of the park intersects the rugged border between Herkimer and Fulton Counties. The settlement of Stratford serves as a primary hub along the banks of East Canada Creek, with several smaller crossroads like Emmonsburg and Knappville scattered across the surrounding hills. This survey, based on aerial photography from the war years, captures the region's transition from a logging and agricultural frontier into a managed forest. Significant local landmarks such as Roundtop Cem and School No 18 indicate established community roots even as the wilderness remained dominant. The drainage patterns of Stony Brook, Sprite Creek, and the Aqueduct demonstrate the critical role of water management in this high-elevation terrain, while summits like Oak Mtn and Bear Hill anchor the local topography.