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1940s Maps of Boston, Massachusetts

Explore 26 historic maps of Boston from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how Boston's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring Boston's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.

Boston, MA maps

(26)
  1. 1941 Map of Blue Hills
    1941 Map of Blue Hills
    1941 Blue Hills
    1941 Print · USGS
    The Blue Hills south of Boston are shown here at the edge of the pre-war era, before massive highway expansion reshaped Norfolk County. Genealogists and historians can trace the grounds of Thayer Academy, the Blue Hills Cem, and the industrial Fireworks site.
    4 unique versions available
  4. 1941 Map of Nantasket
    1941 Map of Nantasket
    1941 Nantasket
    1941 Print · USGS
    Coastal Plymouth County in the years before the war shows a landscape defined by maritime heritage and seaside growth. Researchers can trace the development of Kenberma, locate the old Patriot Sch, and study the offshore positions of The Graves and the Boston Lightship.
    3 unique versions available
  7. 1941 Map of Norwood
    1941 Map of Norwood
    1941 Norwood
    1941 Print · USGS
    Norfolk County during the mid-1930s shows a landscape of growing town centers and industrial rail corridors along the Neponset River. Researchers can trace local landmarks like the Sharon Sanitorium, Highland Cem, and the specialized Norfolk County Agricultural Sch.
    3 unique versions available
  10. 1943 Map of Boston
    1943 Map of Boston
    1943 Boston
    1943 Print · USGS
    Greater Boston and its southern suburbs appear here during the mobilization of the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace the early footprints of Commonwealth Airport, military sites like Fort Winthrop, and local institutions such as Pondville State Hospital.
  13. 1943 Map of Boston North
    1943 Map of Boston North
    1943 Boston North
    1943 Print · USGS
    Greater Boston's northern suburbs and industrial waterfronts appear in high detail during the early 1940s. Genealogists and historians can trace the limits of neighborhoods like Orient Heights and find landmarks like Tufts College and the Mass Soldiers Home.
  16. 1943 Map of Lynn
    1943 Map of Lynn
    1943 Lynn
    1943 Print · USGS
    The Massachusetts coastline near the height of the Second World War reveals a landscape heavily shaped by maritime defense and established seaside communities. Researchers can trace the layout of historic harbor defenses like Fort Duvall or locate family landmarks in older settlements such as Beach Bluff, East Saugus, and Germantown.
  19. 1944 Map of Newton
    1944 Map of Newton
    1944 Newton
    1944 Print · USGS
    The western suburbs of Boston thrive in the mid-1940s, defined by the winding Charles River and a dense network of rail lines. Genealogists and local historians can trace family plots and parish boundaries at Newton Cem, St Gabriels Monastery, and the Christian Science Sanatorium.
  22. 1944 Map of Lynn
    1944 Map of Lynn
    1944 Lynn
    1944 Print · USGS
    Coastal Massachusetts during the mid-forties reveals a world of busy rail lines and seaside neighborhoods from Lynn to Winthrop. Genealogists and historians can trace defunct landmarks like the City Farm, the Black Mine on Nahant, and the sprawling Suffolk Downs Race Track.
  25. 1944 Map of Hull
    1944 Map of Hull
    1944 Hull
    1944 Print · USGS
    Coastal Massachusetts at the height of the Second World War is captured here through the harbor's intricate islands and shorelines. Genealogists and maritime historians can trace residential roots in Houghs Neck or study military sites like Ft Andrews and Ft Duvall.
  28. 1944 Map of Boston South
    1944 Map of Boston South
    1944 Boston South
    1944 Print · USGS
    Boston and its southern neighbors show a dense mid-century network of colleges and coastlines during the 1940s. Trace local roots at Forest Hills Cem, find early campus layouts for Harvard University, or explore the maritime bustle at South Boston and the US Naval Reservation.
  31. 1945 Map of Marblehead South
    1945 Map of Marblehead South
    1945 Marblehead South
    1945 Print · USGS
    Coastal Essex County comes to life at the close of the war, showing the intricate shoreline and rail connections of the North Shore. Genealogists and historians can trace the Boston and Maine corridor and locate local landmarks like Castle Rock or the Devereux Beach coastline.
    3 unique versions available
  34. 1946 Map of Lynn
    1946 Map of Lynn
    1946 Lynn
    1946 Print · USGS
    The Massachusetts North Shore thrives at the end of the war, showcasing the dense neighborhoods of Lynn and the coastal recreation of Revere Beach. Genealogists and historians can locate old landmarks like the Pine Grove Cemetery and the military grounds of Ft Heath.
    3 unique versions available
  37. 1946 Map of Hull
    1946 Map of Hull
    1946 Hull
    1946 Print · USGS
    Boston Harbor and the Hull peninsula appear here in the 1940s, revealing a landscape defined by coastal fortifications and seaside neighborhoods. Researchers can trace the military history of Ft Warren and Ft Dawes or find local landmarks like the Long Island Hospital and Boston Light.
    4 unique versions available
  40. 1946 Map of Boston South
    1946 Map of Boston South
    1946 Boston South
    1946 Print · USGS
    Greater Boston at the end of the Second World War shows a dense urban landscape of world-class universities and bustling coastal defense. Researchers can trace family sites near Forest Hills Cem or explore institutional history at Fenway Park and Ft Winthrop.
    3 unique versions available
  43. 1946 Map of Newton
    1946 Map of Newton
    1946 Newton
    1946 Print · USGS
    Newton and the western Boston suburbs are captured in the mid-1940s, showcasing a landscape of established estates, institutions, and rail lines. You can trace early 20th-century neighborhoods and landmarks like the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston College, and Needham Junction.
    3 unique versions available
  46. 1946 Map of Boston North
    1946 Map of Boston North
    1946 Boston North
    1946 Print · USGS
    Greater Boston's northern suburbs emerge in the mid-1940s as a hub of industry and academic life. Genealogists and researchers can trace family plots in Woodlawn Cem or locate historic campuses like Tufts College and Radcliffe College.
    2 unique versions available
  49. 1946 Map of Norwood, 1958 Print
    1946 Map of Norwood, 1958 Print
    1946 Norwood
    1958 Print · USGS
    Norfolk County during the postwar expansion era reveals a landscape shaped by the Neponset River and thriving rail corridors. Researchers can trace the development of local centers like Islington and East Walpole or locate landmarks such as the Norwood Airfield and Colburn Sch.
  52. 1946 Map of Blue Hills, 1958 Print
    1946 Map of Blue Hills, 1958 Print
    1946 Blue Hills
    1958 Print · USGS
    The Blue Hills and surrounding South Shore towns are shown here in the mid-1940s as suburban growth began to surround the reservation. Researchers can locate family sites and landmarks like the Blue Hill Observatory, Thayer Academy, and St Marys Cem.
  55. 1947 Map of Norwood
    1947 Map of Norwood
    1947 Norwood
    1947 Print · USGS
    Post-war Norfolk County centers on the busy rail-and-river corridor of the late forties. Researchers can trace the neighborhood growth of Islington and East Walpole or locate family markers at Fairview Cemetery and Highland Cem.
  58. 1947 Map of Lynn
    1947 Map of Lynn
    1947 Lynn
    1947 Print · USGS
    The North Shore of Massachusetts thrives in the late 1940s, from the industrial heart of Lynn to the rocky heights of Nahant. Genealogists and historians can trace neighborhood developments near Pine Grove Cemetery, explore the grounds of the City Farm, or locate the historic Black Mine.
  61. 1948 Map of Boston
    1948 Map of Boston
    1948 Boston
    1948 Print · USGS
    Eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire appear at an industrial peak in the late 1940s, just as suburban growth began to accelerate. Genealogists and historians can trace rail lines like the Boston and Albany RR or locate coastal landmarks like Graves Lighthouse and Fort Devens.
    2 unique versions available
  64. 1948 Map of Hull
    1948 Map of Hull
    1948 Hull
    1948 Print · USGS
    Coastal life and military defenses along the Massachusetts shoreline come into focus in the late 1940s. Genealogists and local historians can locate specific landmarks from the House of Correction to Ft Warren and the residential streets of Houghs Neck.
  67. 1949 Map of Lynn, 1955 Print
    1949 Map of Lynn, 1955 Print
    1949 Lynn
    1955 Print · USGS
    The North Shore coastline comes alive in the late 1940s, showing the dense rail-and-road network connecting Lynn and Swampscott. Researchers can trace old neighborhood boundaries, family cemeteries like Pine Grove Cemetery, and early airport development at Logan International Airport.
  70. 1949 Map of Boston North, 1957 Print
    1949 Map of Boston North, 1957 Print
    1949 Boston North
    1957 Print · USGS
    The northern Boston suburbs and Middlesex Fells are documented here during the late 1940s as post-war development filled the landscape. Researchers can trace the legacy of local institutions and neighborhoods from the Stoneham Zoological Park to the Naval Hospital and Wyoming Cem.
  73. 1949 Map of Nantasket, 1958 Print
    1949 Map of Nantasket, 1958 Print
    1949 Nantasket
    1958 Print · USGS
    The South Shore at mid-century reveals a blend of coastal leisure and vital maritime safety. Genealogists and historians can trace the residential layouts of Kenberma and North Cohasset or locate the storied Minots Ledge Lighthouse.
Showing maps 1-25 of 26

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Frequently asked questions

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