2019 Map of West Valley

About this map

West Valley and the smaller settlement of Riceville anchor this Cattaraugus County landscape, defined by a network of creeks and prominent summits. The terrain is marked by significant elevations like Bread Loaf Hill and Blue Hill, with drainage provided by the winding courses of Gooseneck Cr and Indian Cr. For those researching local history, the map provides a high density of burial sites, including the Riceville Cem, Holland Cem, and Saint Johns Cem, which are scattered throughout the valleys and along the rural roads. The eastern portion of the sheet is dominated by McKinstry Hollow and the marshy expanses of Bird Swamp near Ischua Cr. This survey illustrates the modern persistence of historic settlement patterns, where farmsteads and cemeteries remain tied to the narrow stretches of flat land between the hills.