1944 Map of Blackstone

About this map

The Blackstone River and the New York New Haven and Hartford RR corridor anchor this mid-century portrait of the industrial borderlands between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This survey reveals a landscape of mill towns and crossroads communities, from the dense grid of Woonsocket in the south to the outlying clusters of Millville and Blackstone. Local civic life is well-documented through landmarks like the Chestnut Hill Meeting House, Elmdale Sch, and the Chestnut Hill Fire Lookout atop the central ridges. The map identifies numerous specialized burial grounds, including St Michaels Ukrainian Cem and Precious Blood Cem, reflecting the diverse immigrant heritage of the Blackstone Valley's manufacturing workforce. Early aviation infrastructure also appears on the heights, marked by the Mendon Landing Field and a nearby Airway Beacon.