1975 Map of Bernardston

About this map

Bernardston serves as the central hub of this mid-1970s orthophotograph, where the developed landscape of the town center contrasts with the dense woodlands of Franklin County. This unique imagery, produced by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, provides a literal view of the land as it appeared during the autumn of 1975. The Fall River carves a distinct valley through the center of the sheet, dictated by the sharp topography of the region. Local researchers can trace the development patterns of North Bernardston and Hales Crossing, or examine the water levels at Lily Pond. The map also captures the course of the Green River along the western edge and the northern reaches of Gill to the southeast, showing how transportation routes and settlements were carved into the wooded hillsides of northern Massachusetts.