1948 Map of Bangor

About this map

Bangor and Brewer sit at the head of navigation on the Penobscot River, anchoring a postwar landscape defined by its deep estuaries and industrial river valleys. This mid-century survey captures the region as the Maine Central RR and Bangor & Aroostook RR networks remained vital for moving timber and textiles from interior towns like Waterville and Skowhegan to the coast. Along the fractured shoreline, the map details the complex geography of Penobscot Bay and Frenchman Bay, highlighting the prominence of Mount Desert Island and the established boundaries of Acadia National Park. The interior is a web of massive freshwater bodies such as Sebasticook Lake and Graham Lake, illustrating the glacial topography that shaped Maine's early settlement patterns and hydro-powered industries. From the granite heights of Mount Megunticook to the isolated outposts of Isle Au Haut, the sheet provides a comprehensive view of the Maine coast before modern highway expansion.