1894 Map of Burrillville

About this map

The Providence and Springfield R. R. cuts through the northern interior of Rhode Island, connecting industrial mill villages like Oakland, Harrisville, and Pascoag Reservoir. The landscape is a network of river-powered industry, where the Branch River and Chepachet River fueled numerous settlements including Slatersville, Glendale, and Nasonville. This topography reveals the significant water-management systems of the late 19th century, featuring reservoirs like Wilson Reservoir and Waterman Reservoir designed to maintain consistent flows for downstream manufacturing. Beyond the industrial corridors, the terrain rises to notable heights such as Woonsocket Hill and Chopmist Hill, while the southeastern corner shows early development in Cranston and Johnston. The map documents a period when rural upland farming still coexisted with the dense mill towns that defined the Blackstone Valley and its tributaries.