1951 Map of Bethel

About this map

Putnam Memorial Camp Grounds and the surrounding woodlands of Wooster Mountain State Park define the mid-century landscape of this corner of Fairfield County. This survey captures the transition from rural agricultural roots to post-war residential growth, centered on the New York New Haven and Hartford railroad line which links the settlements of Branchville, Georgetown, and West Redding. The hydrography is dominated by the Saugatuck Reservoir to the southeast and numerous smaller bodies like Eureka Lake and Waubeeka Lake, many of which supported local industry or recreation. Local life is documented through established institutions such as Wooster Sch and Grassy Plain Sch, while the presence of Danbury Airport in the north indicates the era's advancing transportation infrastructure. The map preserves the names of early family landholdings and small rural communities like Florida Hill and Boston, providing a detailed record of the region before more intensive suburban development.