1957 Map of Bailey Island

About this map

Bailey Island anchors this mid-century hydrographic and topographic study of the Harpswell coast, where the rugged archipelago meets the open Atlantic Ocean. The map documents a complex maritime environment of narrow passages like Jaquish Gut and protective harbors including Mackerel Cove and Water Cove. Beyond the primary settlement, the survey details a constellation of smaller landforms such as Ragged Island, Pond Island, and Flag Island, many surrounded by hazardous maritime features like Cedar Ledges and Saddleback Ledge. Insight into the era's navigational aids is provided by the inclusion of the Jamison Ledge Beacon and various shoals. The transition from the sheltered waters of Merriconeag Sound to the expansive Casco Bay highlights the geographic isolation and nautical character of these coastal communities before late-twentieth-century development altered the landscape.