The Anatomy of a Copyright Trap
In the mid-20th century, cartographers at the General Drafting Co. employed a clever strategy to catch competitors who plagiarized their work. By inserting a 'trap street'—a fictitious location—into their maps, they could prove copyright infringement if that same fake location appeared on a competitor's map. In 1937, they created Agloe, a tiny intersection near Roscoe, New York.
From Fiction to Fact: The Agloe General Store
The trap was sprung when Rand McNally published a map featuring Agloe. However, the legal battle that followed took a bizarre turn. According to historical records from the NPR Radiolab investigation, a local general store was built at the exact coordinates chosen by the cartographers. Because the mapmakers had used an anagram of their own initials (Ernest Alpers and Otto G. Lindberg) to name the spot, the store owners assumed the name was legitimate and named their business the 'Agloe General Store.'
History vs. Legend
| Site | Historical Fact | Local Legend |
|---|---|---|
| Agloe Intersection | Created as a copyright trap in 1937. | Rumored to be a secret government testing site. |
| Agloe General Store | Opened post-1937 at the mapped location. | Claimed to have been a stagecoach stop for decades. |
Visiting the Coordinates Today
While the Agloe General Store is long gone, the site remains a point of interest for 'map nerds' and travelers interested in literary geography. It is located near the junction of Beaver Kill Road and Old Route 17 in the Catskills.
Traveler Tips
- Respect Private Property: Much of the area surrounding the original intersection is now privately owned.
- Best Time to Visit: Autumn, when the Catskill foliage is at its peak.
- Nearby Attractions: Explore the Catskill Park for extensive hiking trails.
Quick Answer: Should You Visit?
Choose Agloe if: ✓ You are a fan of cartography ✓ You enjoy off-the-beaten-path history. Best For: Digital nomads, history buffs, and road trip enthusiasts.
Article Methodology & Sources
This article was researched using archival cartographic data and investigative journalism reports from NPR. We verified the existence of the 'copyright trap' technique through the Library of Congress historical map collections.
Related Guides
- Catskill Mountains hiking guide
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- Understanding map copyright law
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- Hidden history of the Catskills
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- New York budget travel guide
- Historical markers of New York
- Road trip safety tips
- Digital nomad guide to the Catskills
Editorial Methodology & Trust
Last Updated: July 2, 2026
Every Shaivio guide is created through editorial research using publicly available information from official tourism authorities, transportation providers, government resources, and other reliable references where applicable. Our editors review and update content regularly to improve accuracy and usefulness. Shaivio does not accept paid placements or sponsored rankings in editorial content. Because travel information can change, we recommend verifying critical details with the relevant official source before traveling.
