1899 Map of Block Island

About this map

New Shoreham serves as the central settlement on this late 19th-century survey of the island, which is defined by a landscape of glacial kettle ponds and prominent coastal landmarks. The interior is dotted with numerous small bodies of water, including Sands Pond, Mitchell Pond, and Fresh Pond, reflecting a complex hydrology vital to the island's early residents. Along the coast, maritime safety infrastructure is clearly marked, including the L.S. Station on the western shore and the Block Island S.E. L.H. perched atop the southern bluffs. Notable elevations such as Beacon Hill and Pilot Hill provide a sense of the undulating terrain, while the distinctive shape of Great Salt Pond dominates the northern half, nearly bisecting the island near Cormorant Point.