Loading map...

1950 Map of Tonawanda East

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Tonawanda East
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1950
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1950

About this map

Tonawanda Creek and the Erie Canal dominate this 1950 landscape, serving as the industrial and geographical dividing line between Niagara and Erie counties. The transition from the urban centers of North Tonawanda and Tonawanda to the rural townships of Wheatfield and Pendleton is clearly visible, marked by a dense network of transport infrastructure. Multiple rail lines, including the New York Central Railroad and the International Railway, converge near the waterway, highlighting the area's role as a major regional transit hub.

Beyond the industrial riverfront, the map reveals a interior dotted with traditional small-town features. Numerous numbered schools, such as School No. 5 and School No. 16, are scattered across the landscape. Notable local aviation history is preserved through the locations of Shawnee Airport and County Line Airport. Large commemorative spaces like the White Chapel Memorial Cemetery and Acacia Park Cemetery occupy significant acreage near Martinsville, while the residential character of the era is captured in settlements like Getzville and Beach Ridge.