Loading map...

1942 Map of Block Island

Name: 1942 Topographic Map of Block Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1943
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1943

About this map

Westerly and Stonington anchor a maritime landscape at the mouth of the Pawcatuck River during the early 1940s. This survey by the Corps of Engineers details the strategic coastal corridor where the NY NH & H RR connects vital textile and manufacturing centers like Carolina, Shannock, and Kenyon. The inland terrain is characterized by complex wetland systems such as Assekonk Swamp and Indian Cedar Swamp, while the coast is a series of interconnected salt ponds including Ninigret Pond and Watchaug Pond.

A distinct focus on coastal navigation and defense is evident through the inclusion of the Block Island SE LH and multiple life-saving stations like New Shoreham LSS and Hither Plain LSS. The map also captures localized industry and heritage, from the Silex Mine near Lantana Hill to the Indian Burying Hill in Charlestown, providing a comprehensive view of the region's physical and cultural geography before mid-century development.