Great Archive of Ithaca Maps

I just discovered a treasure trove of historic maps of Ithaca and surrounds by a guy named Bill Hecht. Check it out. We're talking HUNDREDS of maps here! There's a great topo map from 1909, and here's just a portion of it. Given how tiny Tinytown was in 1909, it sure makes it easier to study the contour lines.

Also, there's a Cyclist's Road Map from 1893! I had no idea that such things even existed. Here's a detail from the Central NY map:

It must have been quite a challenge for cyclists back then to climb these hills with those heavy bikes and mostly gravel roads. I'm mystified, and will have to learn more about the early days of cycling in our area.

Bill Hecht did an incredible service with this site.