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1905 Map of Watkins Glen

Name: 1905 Topographic Map of Watkins Glen
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1914
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1914

About this map

Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake anchor this turn-of-the-century topographic landscape, where the Finger Lakes region transitions from steep glaciated valleys to the industrial hubs of the Southern Tier. The map documents a dense network of early transportation, featuring the Steerboat Route on the deep waters of Seneca Lake and several competing rail lines, including the Lehigh Valley RR and the Northern Central RR, which were critical for the era's commerce.

Detailed surveying reveals the area's natural landmarks and early industry, from the falls and gorges at Buttermilk Falls and Havana Glen to the Catharine Mill outside Odessa. Population centers like Ithaca, Watkins, and Elmira are shown in their early configurations, alongside smaller vanished or evolved stops like Moreland Sta and Enfield Falls. This record provides an essential view of Schuyler, Tompkins, and Chemung counties before modern highways reshaped the terrain.