1984 Map of Block Island

About this map

Block Island and its primary settlement at New Shoreham anchor the southern reach of this coastal study, marking the nautical boundary where Block Island Sound meets the Atlantic Ocean. Along the mainland, the Amtrak rail line threads through historic shoreline communities from Mystic and Stonington in Connecticut across the Pawcatuck River into Westerly, Rhode Island. The map reveals a landscape defined by saltwater ponds and marshlands, including the extensive Great Swamp and Ninigret Pond, which separate the mainland interior from the barrier beaches. The interior reflects an era of established coastal conservation and military presence, evidenced by the Pequot Indian Res and numerous protected areas like the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. To the east, the mouth of Narragansett Bay is flanked by Jamestown and the dense streets of Newport, while to the southwest, the tip of Long Island reaches its terminus at Montauk Point and the Montauk Air Force Station.