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1953 Map of Ashaway

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Ashaway
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

The Pawcatuck River carves a winding path through this borderland, serving as the literal boundary between North Stonington, Connecticut, and Hopkinton, Rhode Island. The mid-century landscape is defined by the industrial and residential clusters of Westerly and Pawcatuck, where the river’s power once drove local economies. Notable settlements such as Potter Hill, White Rock, and Stillmanville line the riverbanks, reflecting a tight-knit network of riverside communities.

Further inland, the terrain rises toward Diamond Hill and Champlin Hill, with large tracts of preserved land like the Pachaug State Forest and the Woody Hill Management Area framing the rural outskirts. Transportation routes like the New London Turnpike and the Conrail rail line underscore the region's importance as a transit corridor between New York and Boston. The map documents numerous smaller landmarks essential for family history research, including St Michael Cem and the Ward High Sch in the heart of Westerly.