1977 Map of Blackstone

About this map

The Blackstone River corridor defines this 1970s orthophotograph, capturing the industrial and residential development of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island borderlands. Unlike traditional topographic maps, this aerial perspective provides a concrete look at the dense urban fabric of Woonsocket and the village centers of Blackstone and Millville. The imagery documents the relationship between the river and the settlements that grew along its banks, showing the concentrated infrastructure in the valley contrasted with the more wooded, rural surroundings near Mendon. Smaller localities like Ironstone and South Milford appear as distinct clusters within the landscape, while the confluence of the West River and the Mill River underscores the importance of these waterways to the region's historic growth and layout.