1971 Map of Boston North

About this map

Dense urban development and historic preserves characterize the region north of Boston during the early 1970s. The map illustrates a landscape where industrial infrastructure and major transit corridors like the MBTA System and Penn Central RR wrap around significant green spaces. The Middlesex Fells Reservation dominates the western portion, containing numerous reservoirs and named peaks such as Bear Hill and Winthrop Hill. To the east, the Saugus River meanders toward the Seaplane Basin and Logan International Airport. Genealogists and local historians will find numerous landmarks of the era, from the Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site to the concentration of academic institutions including Harvard University and Tufts University. The map also captures the layout of established neighborhoods in Malden, Melrose, and Everett, along with expansive memorial sites like Holy Cross Cemetery and the US Naval Hospital on the waterfront.