1953 Map of Ashaway

About this map

The Pawcatuck River serves as the winding centerpiece of this 1953 survey, defining the border between Connecticut and Rhode Island as it flows through heavy woodland and industrial river towns. The dual settlement of Westerly and Pawcatuck marks a significant population center at the southern edge, where the New York New Haven and Hartford railroad cuts through the urban landscape. To the north, the geography shifts toward rural hamlets and textile mill sites like Potter Hill and Ashaway, which are situated along the Ashaway River. The terrain is characterized by a series of prominent rises including Mount Moriah and Champlin Hill, interspersed with water bodies like Wyassup Lake and Chapman Pond. Significant conservation lands are already established, including portions of the Pachaug State Forest and the Woody Hill Reservation, framing the legacy of early colonial turnpikes and family-named landmarks like Pendleton Hill.