Browse Items (1267 total)

Photograph of iconic cast iron bridge in New York's Central Park was one of six created for an historical survey in 1984. The description reads: "Designed by Calvert Vaux, the Bow Bridge is one of the most prominently located and visible cast iron…

This poster is one of many "soil conservation charts" created by the US Department of Agriculture during the 1930s, specifically in response to conditions of drought and farming practices that had exacerbated the problem. In this instance, the Soil…

Breakneck Ridge is located in the Hudson Highlands, directly across the river from Storm King Mountain. Its distinctive stony face was picturesque, albeit quarried for granite by the 19th century. It posed a major obstacle in plans to build a…

By the time of this map a bitter consolidation battle among smaller rail lines had resulted in the creation of New York Central in 1853. Then, under the leadership of aggressive presidents Erastus Corning and Cornelius Vanderbilt, NYC expanded into a…

A 19th-century gazetteer described Potsdam, located on the Raquette River, as having "a great variety of beatiful situations" and in particular a waterfall near the center of town. During that time its uses were directed primarily to milling…

The Raquette River has its headwaters at the outlet of Raquette Lake, in the Adirondack Mountains, and flows 146 miles to the St. Lawrence River. It passes through numerous marshes and small lakes; both before and after European arrival, it has been…

These four images come from a book of 33 views featuring the Thousand Islands, located in the St. Lawrence River as it exits Lake Ontario. Some of the photographs are focused on natural features, but a majority admire larger-than-life "castles" built…

Centered upon an area roughly bordered by the Adirondack State Park, this map synthesizes basic topographical features—borders, lakes and waterways, cities, early roads—with pictorial elements. Some of these latter reference historical events; still,…

Despite inscription on the photo, probably what's shown is Sloat's Dam located a few miles upriver in Rockland County, NY. The structure was built in 1792 by Isaac Sloat for the purposes of milling, and was approximately four feet high by 200 feet in…