1971 Map of Boston North

About this map

Middlesex Fells Reservation and the surrounding suburban expansion of the northern Boston metropolitan area dominate this 1971 study. The landscape is a dense mixture of residential settlements such as Melrose, Malden, and Everett intertwined with significant institutional footprints. Higher education is represented by the campuses of Tufts University and Harvard University, while the region's industrial heritage is anchored by the Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site. Transport infrastructure is heavily emphasized, from the Boston and Maine railroad lines to the complex highway networks including the Mystic River Bridge. Large-scale public works and open spaces are prominent, including the South Reservoir, Spot Pond, and the sprawling Woodlawn Cemetery. The map also captures specialized land use of the era, such as the Saugus Race Track, Suffolk Downs, and the U S Naval Hospital along the Island End River.